TAMPA, Fla. — A Taste of Ukraine was held Wednesday night at Tampa’s JCC & Federation, featuring Ukrainian culture, food, music and dance.

But in the background of the celebration was the war.

“It's a big monster and Ukrainians need all sorts of help, but not in small increments that we have seen so far,” said Olena Borysoea who left Ukraine in June. “We need massive help so we can kick it out once and for all so we can be done."

But sending more aid to Ukraine has been a politically charged issue in the U.S., with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this week requesting $12 billion more in funding.

The request comes as Russia has announced plans to draft as many as 300,000 men for Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.  

That’s twice as many troops as Putin used to invade Ukraine when the war started.

And on Wednesday, Russian state TV reported veiled threats of a nuclear escalation, with Putin saying any aid or weapons being sent to Russian controlled areas of Ukraine could be a provocation.

Pnina Evermore with Tampa’s JCC & Federation says without continued to help to Ukraine, the war could spill across the borders.

"I think if Ukraine loses it will embolden Russian,” said Evermore. “I think Russia uses Russian nationals in out countries as an excuse, and I think that that will then pose a danger to other countries."

Last week, President Joe Biden approved $600 million in funding to help Ukraine purchase more ammunition and aid.