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The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has again called for more air defences, after deadly strikes in the northern city of Chernihiv.

On Wednesday, he told European leaders in Brussels he needs promises on "supplies and joint production of weapons and ammunition" accelerated.

But it's on Capitol Hill in Washington that the biggest battle over the funding of Ukraine's defence is raging.

US legislators belonging to Donald Trump's Republican party have delayed taking a vote on foreign aid bills - including one for Ukraine - that's already been passed in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, says it will now be voted upon on Saturday.

Newsday asked senior State Department official Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley how confident she is that the multi-billion dollar bill will be passed.

"It's not going to be straightforward for the assistance to Israel and it's not going to be straightforward for the assistance to Ukraine."

"Most Americans understand what has happened with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Ukrainians fighting for their land, their independence etc. What Americans don't see is a clear way forward - a way to victory - and the concern is that this might be an open-ended financial commitment."

(Pic: House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson; Credit: Getty Images)

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