President Biden has just told Zelensky that it would be a "Christmas gift" to Russia's Vladimir Putin if Congress fails to pass fresh military aid for Kyiv.

Speaking in the Oval Office at the White House, Biden said to Zelensky that "we are going to stand at your side".

Despite the president's efforts to assuage concerns, Republicans remain resistant to a $61bn package of assistance for war-torn Ukraine because of unrelated political demands.

Image source, Getty Images

This is one of the first images released from the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The pair are currently inside the Oval Office of the White House.

This is the seventh meeting between Biden and Zelensky, and it's the third time Zelensky has been to Washington DC since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

They are both scheduled to speak later this afternoon.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

I just met two pro-Ukraine demonstrators outside the Capitol, part of a larger group of several dozen who were here when Zelensky was inside.

One of them, Catherine Pedersen, told me that she was disappointed that the Ukrainian President seemed to meet so much resistance.

She fears that a failure to help might embolden potential US adversaries abroad.

"I'm worried about the signal this will send to China. I'm worried about China miscalculating and making a move on Taiwan," she said. "This puts our country at risk and our soldiers at risk."

This group is a common fixture at Ukraine-related events in the US Capitol.

The other protester I met, Robert Harvey, has been outside the White House demonstrating almost every day since April.

"But the deadlock is here now," he told me. "So I'm here instead."

The US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said today that his support for Ukraine is "rock solid".

In a speech on the Senate floor, he said the Russia threat is intertwined with Iran, China and North Korea as they "work together to undermine America and the West."

But he ackowledged that Ukraine's cause "hasn’t always been popular here in Washington".

“For nearly two years, the people of Ukraine have defied the world’s expectations," he said. "They’ve ground down the world’s second most powerful military, and they’ve confounded Putin’s aggressive imperialist aspirations."

Ukraine can win, he said, if the West continues to stand with them.

But he also emphasised his determination to get the US southern border "under control", which is a position that has driven Republican's opposition to the Ukraine aid package.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

President Zelensky has just arrived at the White House to see President Biden for the second part of his Washington visit today.

According to the White House, the two leaders are slated to have a bilateral meeting about the ongoing war effort.

Following that meeting, we will hear from both leaders at a news conference.

We will be watching to see what Zelensky says about his meetings on Capitol Hill, where he appears to have met significant Republican resistance in his effort to secure more American aid.

Stay with us for more updates.

Anthony Zurcher
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Getty Images

Congressional Republicans have put Democrats in a bind with their insistence that they will only support Ukraine aid if it is tied to sweeping immigration reform.

While Joe Biden and the Democrats have been willing to spend more money on border security – and included some funding in their original proposed package of aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan – Republicans are demanding changes to how undocumented migrants claiming asylum at the border are processed.

A sizeable number of Democrats view such changes as simply unacceptable. They may support immigration reform, but not on purely Republican terms. Many want a path to citizenship for undocumented migrants.

“We are concerned about reports of harmful changes to our asylum system that will potentially deny lifesaving humanitarian protection for vulnerable people, including children, and fail to deliver any meaningful improvement to the situation at the border,” a group of 11 Democratic Senators wrote in a statement issued on 30 November.

Democrats' coalition of support has appeared to fray in recent months. Liberals are divided over the Biden administration’s full-throated support of Israel in the Gaza war.

If the president were also to make concessions on immigration, enshrining some of Donald Trump’s policies into law, the left could move closer to open revolt.

Sam Wright is concerned about inflation, the economy and government spending.

We've just heard from some Ukrainians in Kyiv about what Zelensky's trip to the US means to them, and their views on the potential $61bn in aid. Now, let's hear from some American Republicans.

John Murdoch, in his own words, is the “walking, talking embodiment of the right-wing, church-going, social conservative Republican”.

Jessica Parker
Reporting from Kyiv

The Ukrainian president is nearly 5,000 miles from his home. People in snowy Kyiv, however, told BBC News that what he is able to achieve in Washington DC could be the difference between life and death.

Khrystyna, whose husband is a soldier, says weapons from abroad are vital "because the Russians are too much and they do have a lot of weapons, so we do need more and more and more".

Ivan says Ukraine is defending the border between Nato and Russia, and leaders need to be "smart enough so there won't be a future war between Nato and Russia".

Alina says she wants "to believe in a miracle that the war will end and peace will come".

"We hope for the help of our partners to end the was as soon as possible," she adds, only shaking her head at the idea of not receiving that aid.

Olga, who is with her, says: "Since every average person understands that his life depends on it, everything depends on it… we believe that everything will be fine, that they will help us."

Otherwise, the war could "go further", she warns.

If you are just joining us this lunchtime (or evening depending on where you are reading this), here's a recap of what has happened thus far:

• Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelensky has been in a series of meetings in Washington DC to try to save a $61bn (£48.5bn) US defence package for Kyiv
• The deal is being held up as Republicans seek immigration policy changes and increased security at the US's southern border
• He met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, with the former describing their talks as "very powerful"
• After the meeting Schumer said Zelensky had told Senators that "if he gets the help, he can win this war"
• But Republican Lindsey Graham - a staunch Republican supporter of Kyiv - told the BBC that "nothing's changed" following the talks, as he called for Joe Biden to get involved on the southern border
• The Ukrainian president then met with House speaker Mike Johnson, whose stance on border issues has held up the aid package
• Johnson told reporters a little while ago that while the American people stood with Ukraine against the "brutal invasion" by Russia, the Biden administration was asking for billions of dollars with "no oversight"
• "The border is an absolute catastrophe," Johnson said, adding that House Republicans won't budge until "transformative" changes are made and clarity was given on how aid would be used in Ukraine.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

We've just heard from Speaker Mike Johnson, who - as expected - did not budge from his stance on the border issues that have held up Ukraine aid.

Unlike some of his colleagues on the Senate side and among House Democrats, Johnson gave no indication of being open to negotiate while speaking to a throng of reporters.

"The border is an absolute catastrophe," he said, adding that House Republicans won't budge until "transformative" changes are made.

"These are the conditions of the American people," he added "We are resolute on that".

Johnson blamed the White House for the delay, saying they have "no clear strategy to win", nor the "answers that the American people are owed".

None of this bodes well for Zelensky, who may have hoped for more receptive language after meeting Johnson.

We're likely to hear more about the meeting and his morning on Capitol Hill later when Zelensky heads to the White House.

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, said he reiterated to President Zelensky that the American people stood with him and against the "brutal invasion" of Vladimir Putin.

But he added that he has asked the White House for clarity on how Ukraine can win and said "thus far their responses have been insufficient".

The Biden administration is asking for billions of dollars with no oversight, he said.

Johnson spoke about the need to protect the US border, and that was his priority.

The House Speaker then said the Ukraine funding issue is "with the White House and the Senate".

Image source, Getty Images

Ukraine President Zelensky just finished meeting with the Senate side of Congress, and he is on his way to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers soon.

A senator out of that first meeting said he was unmoved by the leader's visit.

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt said he was told "nothing new" and that "the questions were very scripted".

"We've heard all of this before," he said.

Zelensky was brought to the Senate by Democrats, who lead the chamber. Schmitt said that he didn't think the Democrats "appreciate how committed Republicans are to securing our southern border".

That issue is where conservative lawmakers seek policy changes in exchange for further supporting Ukraine.

"If you listen to the people back home, they're not interested in a blank cheque for Ukraine when they see 12,000 people coming across our open southern border every day," Schmitt said.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Image source, EPA

Among the most important stops that President Volodymyr Zelensky will make on this whirlwind visit to DC will be a meeting with Mike Johnson, the latest Speaker of the House of Representatives.

That discussion will occur shortly, and Zelensky may have his work cut out for him.

Johnson, who leads the House, is a major legislative gatekeeper. Even if the aid bill passed the Senate, it will need the approval of Johnson's chamber to go to the president's desk.

The Louisiana lawmaker said he believes further aid is important, but he and other Republicans want Democrats to yield on immigration policy in exchange for their support. Johnson's immigration views are very strict, and Democrats have balked at his demands.

“The battle is for the border,” Johnson said at a news conference last week. “We do that first as a top priority, and we’ll take care of these other obligations."

House Republicans, who have been mixed in their support of Ukraine, are unlikely to rally behind any Ukraine aid without Johnson's blessing.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Image source, Getty Images

We just ran into President Zelensky again - this time walking alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Neither said anything to reporters, some of whom are getting visibly frustrated at the lack of comment. It's unclear how long this meeting will last before he heads over to House Speaker Mike Johnson.

As a reminder, he's scheduled to be at the White House early this afternoon.

Alex Lederman
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Image source, Getty Images

Top Republican Lindsey Graham has told the BBC that "nothing's changed" after Senators met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this morning.

"I admire him, but he didn't change my mind at all about what we need to do," he said. "They (Democrats) are just trying to use him in a way that I think wasn't helpful."

"I know what needs to happen to get a deal. I want to secure our border. 9/11 is imminent right now, I think. Biden needs to be involved."

Graham said he told Zelensky that US border security is the issue holding up a deal. He said Europe will have to step in if the US can't pass a deal, but he has no doubt the Ukrainians will fight to the last man.

Graham supports funding Ukraine in theory, but insists he can't fund a deal as long as "Democrats are in denial about the border." He said the number of people coming across the southern crossing with terrorist ties is "just chilling".

Jessica Parker
Reporting from Kyiv

Image source, Getty Images

Oleksiy Danilov, who co-ordinates Ukraine’s war cabinet, has said he remains confident that US military aid to Kyiv will be approved, even if he wouldn't put a figure on what Ukraine might hope to get.

The proposed $61bn package favoured by the Biden administration is currently embroiled in domestic, partisan politics, with time running out before the Christmas congressional break.

"If it happens so that we receive a gift before Christmas, we will be happy with that,” Danilov told BBC News. "But if it will happen a bit later, then it shouldn't be made into a tragedy."

Asked whether Ukraine would lose the war if US aid stopped, he refused to entertain the possibility, because "truth is on our side".

"Will Putin destroy us before humanity's eyes? Will he be killing our children, our women, our elderly men? And will the whole world watch with their eyes closed? Then the question should be, in what world do we live?”

Read more here:

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Now that he's wrapped up his meeting with the senators, President Zelensky is headed over to the House of Representatives on the other side of the building.

The first stop, we're told, is a meeting with Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader of the Democrats. Zelensky is likely to find a receptive audience with Jeffries; who like most Democrats has supported aid to Ukraine.

After that, he will have an important - and difficult - meeting with Mike Johnson.

Johnson, who replaced Kevin McCarthy in the important role of House Speaker, has held firm on border and immigration concessions the Republicans want. Johnson is likely to present a significant obstacle.

We don't believe that Zelensky will speak on the House side either, although some of the lawmakers might.

Jonathan Beale
BBC defence correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Without vital US military support there is a real danger Ukraine could end up losing this war - not immediately but in the longer term.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington to spell that out, hoping that he can persuade Congress to pass a $61bn aid package that has stalled amid a row over US border security.

On Sunday, Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, warned Ukraine is in mortal danger without continuing American support.

Western officials have told the BBC they remain confident the US administration will find a way out of the current impasse. But even if President Biden succeeds, the worries about where the US stands won't go away. A presidential election year will only bring more uncertainty.

The US has not just been critical to supporting Ukraine's war effort, it's also been largely responsible for coordinating that support.

Jack Watling, of defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute, puts it simply: "Europe can't backfill what the US was providing."

Read more here.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Image source, US Pool

President Zelensky just left the meeting flanked by Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell.

Zelensky said nothing to reporters as we shouted questions in his direction. He glanced at us only briefly as he walked off to his next meeting on the House side.

After escorting Zelensky away from the meeting room, Schumer came back to deliver a few remarks.

Zelensky, he said, told Senators that "if he gets the help, he can win this war".

"He also made clear... that if we lose, Putin wins," Schumer added. "This will be very dangerous for the United States." From where I was standing, it seemed Zelensky got a receptive audience in the Senate. Lawmakers in the chamber, even those holding the aid up, have been largely supportive of Ukraine.

We could clearly hear loud applause from the room just before he emerged. He's now headed over to the House, where he faces a tough battle to convince the Republicans who lead the chamber.