(CNN) 鈥� President Joe Biden, in a call Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, directly tied Ukraine鈥檚 of Avdiivka to Congress鈥� inability to pass further aid for the country鈥檚 effort to fend off Russia鈥檚 invasion.
鈥淭his morning, Ukraine鈥檚 military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies聽as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia鈥檚 first notable gains in months.聽President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently聽pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces,鈥� according to a White House readout of the call.
The call bookended a week defined by US attempts to reassert leadership on the world stage. It also highlighted renewed urgency to pass additional funds for Ukraine amid the withdrawal from Avdiivka, a key town that in recent months became one of the most fiercely contested battles on the eastern front, and the news of Kremlin critic .
Biden told reporters later Saturday that he鈥檚 not confident other Ukrainian towns wouldn鈥檛 also fall, adding it is 鈥渦nethical鈥� that the US is not providing more aid to the Ukrainian people after they have fought 鈥渟o bravely and heroically.鈥�
鈥淭he idea that now they are running out of ammunition, and we walk away. I find it absurd. I find it unethical,鈥� Biden said in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. 鈥淚 find it contrary to everything we are as a country.鈥�
Earlier this week, the Senate passed with bipartisan support a , which includes $60 billion to support Ukraine. However, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he does not plan to bring the bill to the floor, and the House is on a two-week break.
US officials have recently about Russian gains in the war, suggesting it鈥檚 a reflection of a slowdown in aid. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson also said in a statement shared with CNN that the withdrawal from Avdiivka is a direct result of the foreign aid bill being stalled in Congress.
鈥淭his is the cost of Congressional inaction. The Ukrainians continue to fight bravely, but they are running low on supplies. It is critical that the House approve additional Ukraine funding without delay so that we can provide Ukraine with the artillery ammunition and other critical equipment they need to defend their country,鈥� she said.
Biden鈥檚 call followed similar ones earlier Saturday from Vice President Kamala Harris and Zelensky urging Congress to pass additional aid for Ukraine, with Harris slamming House Republicans for stalling legislation.
鈥淧olitical gamesmanship has no role to play in what is fundamentally about the significance of standing with an ally as it endures an unprovoked aggression,鈥� Harris told reporters following a bilateral meeting with Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
She said she has 鈥渇ull belief that were the supplemental package and security package to make it to the floor of the House of Representatives, that it would actually pass.鈥�
鈥淔or us, this package is vital,鈥� Zelensky said, according to a translation. 鈥淲e do not currently look into alternatives because we are counting on the United States.鈥�
While the Ukrainian leader said he does not consider the lack of additional funding a betrayal, he hinted at the House being on recess until the end of the month.
鈥淧lease, everyone, remember that dictators do not go on vacation,鈥� he said during a speech at the conference. 鈥淗atred knows no pause. Enemy artillery does not fall silent due to procedural issues.鈥�
Biden on Friday for taking a two-week break, calling it 鈥渙utrageous鈥� and telling reporters it鈥檚 鈥渁bout time they step up鈥� following the death of Russian opposition figure Navalny.
鈥淭wo weeks, they鈥檙e walking away,鈥� Biden said at the White House. 鈥淭wo weeks. What are they thinking? My God, this is bizarre, and it鈥檚 just reinforcing all of the concern and almost 鈥� I won鈥檛 say panic 鈥� but real concern about the United States being a reliable ally. This is outrageous.鈥�
Ukraine has been facing renewed pressure across the eastern front in its war against Russia, compounded by ammunition and manpower shortages. The withdrawal from Avdiivka marks the biggest gain for Moscow聽since it captured the city of Bakhmut last year.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
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