The White House issued a dire warning Monday that United States aid for Ukraine will run out by the end of the year, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin could win the war if Congress fails to agree on fresh funding.

"Cutting off the flow of US (United States) weapons and equipment will kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield, not only putting at risk the gains Ukraine has made, but increasing the likelihood of Russian military victories," President Joe Biden's budget director, Shalanda Young, said in a blunt letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. 

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan went further, suggesting that voting against aid for Ukraine was effectively voting to make it easier for Russia to succeed.

"Congress has to decide whether to continue to support the fight for freedom in Ukraine… or whether Congress will ignore the lessons we've learned from history and let Putin prevail," Sullivan told reporters at the White House.

Johnson, who took office in October after his predecessor was ousted in a right-wing coup, gave the White House letter a cool response.

"The Biden administration has failed to substantively address any of my conference's legitimate concerns about the lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine," Johnson said on X on Monday.

Johnson also repeated the Republicans' insistence on tying any Ukraine aid to changes in US policy on the southern border with Mexico, as the number of migrant arrivals surges.

Casting Putin and Hamas as twin forces trying to "annihilate" neighboring democracies, Biden has sought to tie $61 billion for Ukraine with $14 billion for Israel in the aid package he demanded in October, along with funding for the border.

For his part, Schumer said the "judgment of history will be harsh indeed" if Congress failed to act.

"You can bet Vladimir Putin is watching. Hamas is watching. Iran, President Xi, North Korea — all our adversaries, they are watching closely."

The US has already allocated $111 billion for Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, including $67 billion for military procurement, Young said.

Deadly strikes

In Ukraine, Kyiv said Tuesday that two people had been killed by Russian shelling in the southern city of Kherson, the latest fatalities in months of persistent shelling by Moscow's forces.

"In the morning, the Russian army mercilessly shelled the center of Kherson. The occupiers killed two people," Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson region, said.

Medical workers who arrived on the scene confirmed that two residents had been killed, Prokudin said, adding that a 59-year-old man was hospitalized.

Prokudin also distributed images showing a blood-stained sidewalk and the blurred body of one of the victims.

In Russia, Moscow said Tuesday it had neutralized 35 Ukrainian drones over the annexed Crimean peninsula and the Sea of Azov.

"An attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack with aerial drones… was foiled last night," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, adding that "22 Ukrainian drones were destroyed and 13 others were intercepted over the Sea of Azov and Crimea."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Russia on Thursday for talks with Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said, as the two countries strengthen economic and military ties in the face of Western sanctions.