In a high-profile televised address, U.S. President Joe Biden ripped his likely Republican challenger Donald Trump for “bowing down” to Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged Congress to pass aid for Ukraine, warning that democracy around the world was under threat, writes Radio Liberty.

Biden called on Congress to pass a Ukraine aid bill to help the country fend off a two-year-old Russian invasion. He warned that should Russia win, Putin will not stop at Ukraine"s border with NATO.

A group of right-wing Republicans in the House of Representatives have for months been holding up a bill that would allocate some USD 60 billion in critical military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine as it defends its territory from Russian invaders.

The gridlock in Washington has starved Ukrainian forces of U.S. ammunition and weapons, allowing Russia to regain the initiative in the war. Russia last month seized the eastern city of Avdiyivka, its first victory in more than a year.

“Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons it needs to defend itself. My message to President Putin...is simple. We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down”, - said Joe Biden.