The Kremlin on Thursday accused President Joe Biden of seeking to demonize Russia in order to wring more funds from Congress to keep the war in Ukraine going, something Moscow likened to burning US taxpayers’ money in a furnace.

Biden pleaded with Republicans on Wednesday for a fresh infusion of military aid for Ukraine, warning that a victory for Russia over Kyiv would leave Moscow in position to attack NATO allies and could draw US troops into a war.

However, Senate Republicans later on Wednesday blocked Democratic-backed legislation that would have provided billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine, saying they wanted to press their point about the importance of tighter border policy.