"Putin is inflicting appalling, appalling devastation on #Ukraine, bombing apartment buildings, maternity wards, hospitals...These are atrocities. They are an outrage to the world"
"What's at stake here are the principles that the United States & the United Nations, across the world stand for. It's about freedom" per @POTUS
"It's about making sure #Ukraine never, will never be a victory for #Putin no matter what advances he makes on the battlefield"
US aid "has clearly helped #Ukraine inflict dramatic losses on #Russia|ns forces" per @POTUS
Says US authorized $1 billion to help #Kyiv just this week...
Includes 800 anti-aircraft systems & help w/acquiring longer-range anti systems
NEW: US aid to #Ukraine includes drones, per @POTUS, calling it part of US commitment to help #Kyiv with "our most cutting-edge systems"
"And more will be coming" he says
"This could be a long & difficult battle but the America ppl will be steadfast in our support of the ppl of #Ukraine in the face of #Putin's immoral, unethical attacks on civilian populations" per @POTUS
"May God protect the young Ukrainians out there defending their country..." per @POTUS before signing legislation authorizing $800 million in more help for #Ukraine
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NEW: #Russia's stalled invasions of #Ukraine - "In virtually every area...for now 3 weeks there really hasn't been much practical changes" per a senior US defense official
Russia now has launched +1,000 missiles, official adds
#Kyiv - "What we've seen is them [#Russia] approaching...from the north & NW...15km from city center" per a senior US defense official
Russian forces approaching from the east also still about 30km from Kyiv
But long-range fires continue to "wear the city down"
#Russia's forces trying to advance on #Kyiv "basically where they were before" per a senior US defense official
BUT "there's a lot of fighting going on" official adds, noting active #Ukraine resistance
Happening now: US @SecDef Lloyd Austin news conference w/#Slovakia Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad' in #Bratislava
#Slovakia Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad' says through translator that mtg w/@SecDef focused on "How we are going to seek ways...to helping our friend in #Ukraine"
"They need our help & we will provide such help"
NEW: "We talked also about the modernization of the Slovakian Armed Forces..." per #Slovakia DefMin Nad'
Also spoke about "various options" for #Russia|n-made #S300s & #MiG29s currently used by Slovakian forces
HAPPENING NOW: @USAfricaCommand Commander Gen. Stephen Townsend & @CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie back on #CapitolHill, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee
Joined by @DeptofDefense UnderSec for Policy Sasha Baker
#China has made a decision, a deliberate decision to compete w/America in #Africa & win that competition" per @USAfricaCommand's Gen Townsend
"They compete primarily thru economic means & diplomatic means..."
"The primary thing that concerns me w/#China's military competition in #Africa is that they are seeking, actively seeking a military base on the #Atlantic Coast of Africa" per @USAfricaCommand's Gen Townsend
Developing: #Russia pushing a new narrative about what happened at the bombed-out theater in @mariupol#Ukraine where civilians were sheltering
#Moscow denies involvement & Thursday the Ministry of Defense claimed on Telegram the theater was destroyed by Ukrainian nationalists
More: #Russia's ministry of defense also continues to push allegations about US-funded/directed bioweapon labs in #Ukraine - Ministry of Defense saying on Telegram that it is now studying documents it was given by lab employees from the #Kharkiv Institute of Veterinary Medicine
The US has consistently refuted #Russia's claims about bioweapon labs in #Ukraine as rubbish
Happening now: @TheJusticeDept unseals 3 cases involving #China's efforts -the Chinese Communist party- "to suppress dissenting voices within the #UnitedStates"
"This activity is antithetical to American values" per Asst AG Matthew Olsen
Each plot is a separate case, he says
#China gvt's secret police - the MSS - directed the actions against the pro-democracy activists, in 1 case threatening harm to a US military veteran running for public office, per US Attorney Breon Peace
Per US Attorney Breon Peace, US charging:
- 1 individual working for the MSS
- head of a democracy group who allegedly betrayed his organization to gather information
- 2 US residents working under direction of a PRC company