WASHINGTON, Oct 5, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - President Joe Biden admitted Wednesday he
was worried that political turmoil in Washington could threaten US aid to
Ukraine, urging Republicans to stop their infighting and back "critically
important" assistance for Kyiv.

Biden added that he would soon be giving a major speech on the need to
support Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion after the chaos in
Washington alarmed US allies.

"It does worry me," Biden told reporters when asked whether the ousting of
Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy by hardliners in his own party could
derail more funds for Ukraine's war effort.

"But I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate of both
parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine."

A last-gasp deal in Congress to avoid a US government shutdown at the weekend
contained no fresh funding for Ukraine, and hopes for a quick solution have
been further complicated by McCarthy's exit on Tuesday.

The contenders to replace him hold a range of views but among them is hard-
right Republican Jim Jordan, who has been notably skeptical on funding
Ukraine.

The timing is critical, with the White House warning that aid could run out
within months just as Ukraine tries to push forward its slow-moving offensive
against Russia before winter sets in.

Biden indicated there was "another means by which we may be able to find
funding" without congressional approval, but would not give further details.

The president will get a briefing on Ukraine from his national security team
on Thursday, the first to feature the new top US military officer, General
Charles "CQ" Brown, the White House added.

- 'Keep our commitment' -

The president's comments reflected a change of tone, as Biden had told allies
in a call on Tuesday that he was "confident" of getting fresh aid passed,
according to the White House.

The US president said he would now make the case for the importance of
helping Ukraine as it battles the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in
February 2022.

"I'm going to be announcing very shortly a major speech I'm going to make on
this issue, and why it's critically important for the United States and our
allies that we keep our commitment," Biden said.

Biden declined to say when he would make the speech.

Russia has said that the questions over the future of US aid reflect growing
fatigue in the West over its support for Ukraine.

But the White House insisted that there were no cracks in the alliance when
Biden spoke to the leaders of key European allies and others on Tuesday.

"None of them brought up that they were concerned," Press Secretary Karine
Jean-Pierre told reporters.

"They have their own domestic political issues that they have to deal with as
well."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was among those who spoke with Biden, said
on Wednesday he was "convinced" of continued US support for Ukraine.

The United States is by far the biggest supporter of Kyiv, committing more
than $43 billion in military assistance to Kyiv so far, while Congress has
approved a total of $113 billion in aid including humanitarian help.

Without new aid being approved, the funding could run out in a "couple of
months," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

In a statement Wednesday, the US military said it had given Ukraine's armed
forces more than 1 million rounds of seized Iranian ammunition.

But the White House's Jean-Pierre said she "wouldn't connect" this with
concerns over the future of US aid.