Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met with American defense contractors and asked the White House for additional funds during a visit to the United States.

Zelensky posted footage of himself shaking hands with defense executives such as Boeing President Theodore Colbert, Northrop Grumman Vice President Stephen O’Bryan, and Lockheed Martin Vice President Raymond Piselli. The leader of the eastern European nation said on social media that he expressed gratitude for “every American worker who manufactures weapons that help us safeguard our people and defend our land.”

“We are ready to produce more ammunition and military vehicles, but we require support,” Zelensky stressed. “It is important to develop joint production of artillery ammo, air defense systems, and artillery and missile systems. Together, we can create more jobs, generate more strength, and provide more opportunities for both of our nations.”

Zelensky also met with President Joe Biden and thanked him for an additional aid package. “We are moving in the right direction, and in our talks with President Biden today, we are discussing ways forward,” he said. “Freedom must be well-armed and well-defended.”

Federal agencies have supported Ukraine with some $113 billion in military and humanitarian funds since Russian forces invaded the country early last year, according to an analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Another analysis from the Council of Foreign Relations found that the United States has provided more assistance to Ukraine than any other nation except for European Union institutions, which have primarily offered financial aid.

Biden said in a statement with Zelensky that “Congress needs to pass the supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday recess,” contending that “the threats to America, to Europe, and the world will only keep rising” without additional resources.

Biden officials have faced criticism from some Republicans who contend that the spending on foreign conflicts is inappropriate given domestic economic challenges and rising national debt. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently defended supplemental aid packages for Ukraine and Israel by contending that the American economy has performed “extremely well” in recent months. “America can certainly afford to stand with Israel and to support Israel’s military needs and we also can and must support Ukraine,” she said.