Biden says US believes Putin has made up his mind to attack Ukraine. President Joe Biden, speaking to the nation for the second time this week on the crisis with Russia over Ukraine, says "Significant intelligence" indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to attack Ukraine, including its capital, Kyiv, in coming days. Biden says diplomacy remains an option until an attack is launched. Source 4i.
I am so amazed by the resilience of the Ukrainians against the brutish Russians. I hope this is the beginning of the end of Putin's reign.
International Level: Activist / Political Participation: 28 2.8%
Biden announces an additional $800 million in military aid for Ukraine. The new aid brings the total U.S. Support for Ukraine to more than $1 billion in just the last week. Biden spoke hours after an emotional appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before Congress. Source 9a.
US officials promise more military assistance, announce plans to resume diplomatic operations in Ukraine during key meeting with Zelenskyy. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that President Joe Biden would soon announce his nominee for ambassador to Ukraine and that American diplomats who left Ukraine before the war would start returning to the country this coming week, the Associated Press reported. Source 2p.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads congressional delegation to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv: Pelosi, second in line to succeed the president, is the most senior US lawmaker to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. Her visit was meant to underscore staunch US support for Ukraine. Source 3u.
Mitch McConnell, Republican senators make unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Sens. Susan Collins, John Cornyn and John Barrasso joined McConnell and Zelenskyy in Kyiv. It is unclear whether the meeting took place Saturday morning or if the delegation is still there. Source 2q.