Today so far
That’s it for the blog today. Here’s how the day unfolded in Washington, as Russia intensified its rocket attacks on major Ukrainian cities:
- Joe Biden said that Americans should not be concerned about potential nuclear war, despite Russia’s escalated aggression against Ukraine. Biden’s comments came one day after Vladimir Putin directed Russian military leaders to transfer the country’s nuclear weapons to a “special mode of combat duty”. “We are assessing President Putin’s directive, and at this time we soon see no reason to change our own alert levels,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
- The US is moving to expel 12 members of the Russian mission to the United Nations from the country. The Biden administration accused the 12 Russian officials of having “abused their privileges of residency in the US by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security”.
- Biden is set to deliver his first State of the Union speech tomorrow night, as the US president faces a number of crises at home and abroad. While the Russian military continues to launch devastating rocket strikes in Ukraine, the president’s approval rating is hitting new lows as Americans complain of rising prices and international instability.
- Despite Russia’s escalating attacks, the White House is adamant that it will not send US troops into Ukraine. Psaki said that Biden is not considering implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine because that would be viewed as an “escalatory” measure by Putin. “We are not going to have a military war with Russia with US troops, and he thinks it’s vitally important and first and foremost important to be direct with the public about that,” Psaki told MSNBC.
- The fencing around the US Capitol has been reinstalled ahead of Biden’s speech tomorrow. The fencing, which remained around the Capitol for months after the January 6 insurrection, was deemed necessary as officials brace for potential demonstrations in DC in response to the State of the Union.
For more updates on the situation in Ukraine, make sure to follow the Guardian’s other live blog, which is still going:
In his State of the Union speech, Joe Biden will also tout the bipartisan infrastructure law. It was unclear if he would mention his sweeping Build Back Better agenda, which is stalled (perhaps permanently) in the Senate.
“It’s not about the name of the bill,” a White House official said on the call. “It’s about the ideas. It’s about lowering costs for families. And I think you can expect to hear the president talk about those ideas.”
The president would also stress that there was “more work to do” to create an economy centered on “resilience, security and sustainability.”
Asked if Biden will speak explicitly about “inflation” – increasingly the top priority for voters – the officials would say only that he will address “price increases” that could become entrenched.
Additionally, Biden will outline a four-point plan that, according to officials, includes proposals to make more products in America, reduce the cost of everyday expenses, promote fair competition and eliminate barriers to good-paying jobs.
He will reaffirm his support for the Pro Act, which expands protections for workers and makes it easier for employees to organize.
