Ukraine’s war-time leader Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to salvage Ukraine aid talks ahead of the winter holiday recess. 

He faces an uphill climb. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said Tuesday afternoon that a deal before Christmas was “practically impossible,” though he said he remained committed to Kyiv’s fight.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), after meeting with Zelensky in the morning, reiterated that any aid for Kyiv must be coupled with border security.

President Biden sought to reassure the Ukrainian leader at the start of their meeting at the White House on Tuesday afternoon.

“I don’t want you giving up hope,” Biden told Zelensky. “We’re going to stay at your side.”

President Biden has requested about $60 billion in additional Ukraine support as part of a more than $100 billion supplemental spending package that has hit multiple hurdles in Congress. 

Zelensky and Biden started a joint press conference around 5 p.m.