ACTIVISTS and faith leaders have called for a Christmas truce and an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

This came as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed US lawmakers on Wednesday while visiting Washington.

Mr Zelensky, making his first foreign trip since Russia's invasion earlier this year, told a joint session of Congress that his country is “alive and kicking” and will never surrender.

He told lawmakers that US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in security for the future.

His appeal comes amid increasing signs that US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress.

But President Joe Biden vowed to stick by Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he pledged a new $2 billion (£1.6bn) aid package.

This comes as over 1,000 faith leaders called for a Christmas truce in Ukraine. 

The signatories, including Reverend Jesse Jackson, Bishop William Barber and members of the Russian Orthodox Church, wrote: “We urge our government to take a leadership role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end through supporting calls for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement, before the conflict results in a nuclear war that could devastate the world’s ecosystems and annihilate all of God’s creation.”

Co-founder of the women-led peace group Code Pink, Medea Benjamin, said: “There is nothing glorious about the Ukraine war. It is a lose-lose for everyone except weapons makers. 

She added: “Zelensky should be calling for peace. So should Putin. And Biden. And everyone else. #ChristmasTruceNow.”

Journalist and author Glenn Greenwald tweeted: “Millions of Americans are set to lose their Medicaid this week because the government says it can't find the $1.7bn (£1.4bn) needed to keep them covered.”

Director of the anti-war and social justice coalition, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, Brian Becker, denounced the continuing US “proxy war with Russia.”

He tweeted: “Super profits for US arms dealers but no political blowback at home because Ukrainians and Russians are dying rather than US troops. It’s perfect!”

Continuing the military build-up, Russia announced plans on Wednesday to beef up its military from 1 to 1.5 million and create multiple new units. 

Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said his country needed to safeguard its security because of Nato plans to incorporate Finland and Sweden.