WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden has extended an invitation to Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to visit the White House on Tuesday, as the U.S. administration intensifies its pressure on Congress to approve additional aid for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

The White House stated on Sunday that the purpose of the visit is to reinforce "the United States' unwavering commitment to support the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion." The two leaders will discuss Ukraine's urgent needs and emphasize the vital importance of continuous U.S. assistance during this critical period, as Russia escalates its missile and drone attacks on the country.

President Biden has called upon Congress to provide a $110 billion package of wartime funding, which includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine and Israel, alongside other national security priorities. However, the request is currently entangled in a debate revolving around U.S. immigration policy and border security.

In defense of the emergency sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition to Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted the necessity for rapid congressional approval of foreign assistance. Blinken justified the decision by highlighting Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza against Hamas, stating, "Israel is in combat right now with Hamas, and we want to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas."

Addressing concerns regarding potential bypassing of Congressional oversight, Blinken stressed that the tank ammunition and related support form only a small portion of military sales to Israel, with the remainder still subject to Congressional review. He emphasized the importance of Congress having a voice in the decision-making process.

The decision to proceed with the sale of over $106 million worth of tank shells comes as the larger aid package proposed by the Biden administration faces obstacles due to the debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security.

Blinken acknowledged President Biden's willingness to make significant compromises to advance the aid package. He stated, "It's something the president is fully prepared to engage on."

Republican Senator Mitt Romney expressed bipartisan agreement on the need to address the rise in migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. He emphasized that any effort lacking effective border security measures would be rejected by Republicans, emphasizing the importance of securing the border.

The stakes are particularly high for Ukraine, as Blinken emphasized that the country is running out of vital funding. He warned that failure to provide the necessary support would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to proceed with his aggression and would leave Ukraine vulnerable.

Congress has already allocated $111 billion in assistance to Ukraine. Budget Director Shalanda Young warned that without further funding, the U.S. will exhaust its ability to provide weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year, severely impacting Ukraine's capabilities on the battlefield.

However, Republican Senator JD Vance questioned the need for additional aid, demanding justification for the proposed $61 billion for Ukraine when $100 billion has already been allocated. He called for clarity on what this additional funding would accomplish.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy countered Vance's argument, emphasizing that the additional funding could make a significant difference in the conflict, as Russia's ability to sustain its war efforts is being strained. Murphy stated, "It can change the outcome of this war."

Romney expressed his support for aid to Ukraine, highlighting its importance in maintaining America's national interest and the world's democracy. He said, "It would be a huge dereliction of our responsibility not to provide the weapons Ukraine needs to defend itself."

The visit of President Zelenskyy to the White House is expected to highlight the urgency for increased U.S. aid for Ukraine, as the Biden administration continues to navigate the challenges surrounding the aid package in Congress.