#BREAKING
WH issues stmt from US Nat'l Security Council spokesperson re: US Nat'l Security Council Advisor #JakeSullivan's meeting today in #Kyiv w/ #Ukraine's president, Volodymyr #Zelensky, & other Ukrainian officials, incl. the minister of defense, Oleksii #Reznikov.
On Russia & Ukraine, they talked re: Russia's nuclear threats & continuing to support Ukraine.
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine Jean-Pierre presser: (US Nat'l Security Advisor #JakeSullivan talking) Says US will announce today an add'l security-assistance package for #Ukraine, including the following: (See screenshot b/c I ran out of character count).
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine Jean-Pierre presser: (US Nat'l Security Advisor #JakeSullivan taking Qs) Says re: Russia and #China's relationship: (See screenshot, b/c I ran out of characters).
"The [US] & our allies and partners will continue to provide Ukraine w/ what it needs to defend itself. ... We will stand w/ Ukraine for as long as it takes."
#BREAKING
WH issues stmt from US Nat'l Security Council spokesperson re: reports of an explosion in #Poland near #Ukraine's border and it was reportedly from #Russia:
"We've seen the reports out of Poland and are working with the Polish government to gather more information."
#BREAKING (via WH press pool) #Biden has finished talking with Poland's president, Andrzej #Duda, re: reports of an explosion in #Poland near #Ukraine's border and it was reportedly from #Russia, per WH stmt.
#BREAKING
WH issues readout of #Biden's conversation today with Poland's president, Andrzej #Duda, re: reports of an explosion in #Poland near #Ukraine's border and it was reportedly from #Russia.
This comes after reports of an explosion in #Poland near #Ukraine's border and it was reportedly from #Russia.
#BREAKING
Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stmt:
"#Russia-made missile dropped on the village of #Przewodów, district Hrubieszów, Lubelskie province, and resulted in death of two citizens of the Republic of #Poland."
#BREAKING #Biden will have an emergency meeting with world leaders today in #Bali, Indonesia, per WH stmt.
This comes after a #Russia-made missile landing in #Poland and killing two.
📹 WATCH (via WH):
#BREAKING (via WH press pool)
WH issues in-attendance participants list re: the emergency meeting of world leaders that #Biden is attending today in #Bali, Indonesia, after a #Russia-made missile landed in #Poland and killed two.
#BREAKING (via WH press pool)
WH issues list of add'l participants in attendance re: the emergency meeting of world leaders that #Biden is attending today in #Bali, Indonesia, after a #Russia-made missile landed in #Poland and killed two.
#BREAKING (via WH press pool) #Biden talks after emergency mtg of world leaders after #Russia-made missile landed in #Poland & killed 2.
Says re: if missile came from Russia: "There is plenty of information to contest that. I don’t want to say until we completely investigate."
#BREAKING
US Dept of Defense issues readout of Sec Def #LloydAustin's conversation with #Poland's deputy prime minister / minister of nat'l defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, after a #Russia-made missile landed in #Poland and killed two.
#BREAKING
WH forwards joint stmt from #NATO and #G7 leaders on the margins of the #G20Summit in #Bali, Indonesia, re: Russia's new missile attacks in #Ukraine as well as a #Russia-made missile landed in #Poland and killed two:
"We reaffirm our steadfast support for Ukraine."
NEW
US State Dept issues readout of Sec State #AntonyBlinken's conversation Tuesday with #Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro #Kuleba.
#BREAKING
WH issues stmt from US Nat'l Security Council spokesperson:
"We have full confidence in the Polish government’s investigation. ... We will not get ahead of their work & remain in close touch with our Polish counterparts, as we are still gathering information."
#BREAKING
US Dept of Defense presser: (Sec Def #LloydAustin taking Qs) "In terms of how long #Russia can sustain their efforts, that's left to be seen." Adds: "I don't think this will be over any time soon."
NEW (via WH press pool) #Biden talks with journalists late last night / early this morning re: comment from #Ukraine's president, Volodymyr #Zelensky, that the missile that landed in #Poland and killed 2 people was not Ukrainian:
"That's not the evidence"
NEW
US State Dept issues readout of Sec State #AntonyBlinken's conversation today with #Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro #Kuleba.
#BREAKING
US Sec State #AntonyBlinken issues stmt announcing US is giving #Ukraine an add'l security-assistance package. This one is worth $400 million, and "includes additional arms, munitions, and air defense equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories."
JUST IN
US Dept of Defense issues readout of Sec Def #LloydAustin's conversation with #German's federal minister of defence, #ChristineLambrecht, re: "joint efforts to support #Ukraine and to enhance security along #NATO's Eastern Flank."
#BREAKING
US State Dept issues stmt saying US is giving #Ukraine more than $53 million to help get electricity grid equipment.
JUST IN
US State Dept issues readout of Sec State #AntonyBlinken's meeting in #Bucharest, Romania, on the margins of the #NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting with #Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro #Kuleba.
#BREAKING #Biden - #Macron presser at WH: (Biden taking Qs) "I have no immediate plans to contact Mr. #Putin. ... I'm prepared to speak w/ Mr. Putin if in fact there is an interest in him deciding he's looking for a way to end the war. He hasn't done that yet."
#BREAKING #Biden - #Macron presser at WH: (Biden taking Qs) "I'm prepared if [#Putin]'s willing to talk, to find out what he's willing to do, but I'll only do it in consultation with my #NATO allies. I'm not going to do it on my own."
JUST IN
US Dept of Defense issues readout of Sec Def #LloydAustin's conversation with #Ukraine's minister of defence, Oleksii #Reznikov, "to condemn #Russia's brutal air attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure & to reinforce the unwavering US commitment to support Ukraine."
NEW
WH Press Sec Karine Jean-Pierre issues stmt saying #Biden will meet today at the WH with #Ukraine's president, Volodymyr #Zelensky.
#BREAKING
House Speaker Nancy #Pelosi invites #Ukraine's president, Volodymyr #Zelensky, to address a joint meeting of Congress today, per Pelosi office stmt.
The stmt incl. a copy of Pelosi's Dec. 20 letter to Zelensky, inviting him to do so.
JUST IN (via WH press pool foreign pool)
Here are background info and details re: #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky's trip to DC today.
JUST IN (via WH press pool)
Per WH official: "President [#Zelensky] has landed in the U.S. and events this afternoon are currently tracking on time."
JUST IN
VPOTUS #KamalaHarris will attend #Biden's meeting today with #Ukraine's president, Volodymyr #Zelensky, per updated guidance from WH of Harris's public schedule today.
Also, Harris will go to the Capitol tonight to attend Zelensky's joint address to Congress.
#BREAKING #Biden - #Zelensky joint presser: (Biden talking) "Ukraine has defied Russia's expectations at every single turn."
#BREAKING #Biden - #Zelensky joint presser: (Biden talking) "The United States is committed to ensuring that the brave Ukrainian ppl can continue, continue to defend their country against Russian aggressions as long as it takes."
#BREAKING #Biden - #Zelensky joint presser: (Biden talking) "Russia is using winter as a weapon: freezing ppl, starving ppl, cutting 'em off from one another. It's the latest example of the outrageous atrocities the Russian forces are committing."
#BREAKING #Biden - #Zelensky joint presser: (Biden taking Qs) Says re: coalition supporting Ukraine: "I've never seen #NATO or the #EU more united about anything at all. And I see no sign of there being any change."
#BREAKING #Biden - #Zelensky joint presser: (Zelensky taking Qs) "For me, as a president, just peace is no compromises as to the sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity of my country; the payback for all the damages inflected by Russian aggression."
#BREAKING #Biden - #Zelensky joint presser: (Biden taking Qs) Says Patriot missile system that Ukraine is getting in new security-assistance package from US "a defensive weapon system. It's not escalatory, it's defensive."
#BREAKING
WH forwards stmt from US Agency for Int'l Development (USAID), saying #Biden announced "[USAID], has provided more than $374 million in additional humanitarian assistance in response to ongoing needs caused by #Putin’s war against Ukraine."
#BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: "Against all odds and doom-and-gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn't fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking."
#BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: "The Russians will stand a chance to be free only when they defeat the #Kremlin in their minds."
#BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: Says he's grateful for artillery that Ukraine has, but it, "honestly, not really" is not enough. Adds: "For [Russia] to completely pull out, more cannons & shells are needed."
#BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: "It is just a matter of time of time when [Russia] will strike against your allies if we do not stop them now. We must do it."
Devon Heinen @DevonHeinen #BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: "Ukraine never asked the American soldiers to fight on our land instead of us."
#BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: "Your money is not charity. It's an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way."
#BREAKING #Ukraine president Volodymyr #Zelensky address to joint meeting of US Congress: "May God protect our brave troops and citizens, may God forever bless the United States of America. Merry Christmas and happy victorious New Year. #SlavaUkraini."
"Biden and Chancellor #Scholz affirmed their intention to further support Ukraine’s urgent requirement for air defense capabilities."
#BREAKING (via WH press pool) #Biden talks during Cabinet meeting re: #Russia and #Ukraine with journalists in the room:
"Right now the war in Ukraine is at a critical point."
He also says: "We have to do everything we can to help the Ukrainians resist Russian aggression."
#BREAKING
US Sec State #AntonyBlinken issues stmt saying US is giving more than $3.75 billion in new military aid to #Ukraine as well as European partners.
The package incl.:
• $3.075 billion to Ukraine
• $682 million to European partners
#BREAKING
US Dept of Defense issues readout of Sec Def #LloydAustin's conversation today with #Germany's federal minister of defence, Christine Lambrecht, "to discuss ways to enhance security assistance to #Ukraine."
JUST IN
US State Dept issues readout of Sec State #AntonyBlinken's conversation today with #Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro #Kuleba:
"The two focused on continuing robust security & economic assistance in the run-up to, & beyond, the first anniversary" of #Russia's invasion.
#BREAKING
US Dept of Defense issues readout of US gov't officials' trip to #Kyiv, Ukraine, today to meet with Ukrainian officials, incl. #Ukraine's president, Volodymyr #Zelensky.
NEW
US Sec State #AntonyBlinken issues stmt saying US announced on Wednesday "that we will work with Congress to program an additional $125 million in funding to support #Ukraine’s energy and electricity grid against #Russia’s continued attacks."
#BREAKING
US Dept of Defense issues stmt announcing add'l security-assistance package for #Ukraine, with this package worth up to $2.5 billion.
#BREAKING
US Dept of Defense readout of Sec Def #LloydAustin's meeting today in #Berlin, Germany, w/ #German's fed minister of def, #BorisPistorius, ahead of Fri.'s Ukraine Defense Contact Group mtg in Germany.
They talked re: multiple topics, incl. support of #Ukraine.
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says US believes there are approx 50,000 #WagnerGroup "deployed to Ukraine."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) "We assess that it is likely there are mounting tensions between Russian officials and [#WagnerGroup's leader]."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) "The [US] Dept of Treasury will be designating [#WagnerGroup] as a significant transnational criminal organization."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says new sanctions will come next week "against [#WagnerGroup] and its support network across mult. continents."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says re: continued support of Ukraine: (See screenshot b/c I ran out of character count.)
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) "What does 'winning' look like? President #Zelensky gets to determine what victory looks like. We're not dictating that to him."
#BREAKING
US State Dept issues readout of Sec State #AntonyBlinken's meeting today with #G7-plus partners "to reaffirm collective support for #Ukraine’s #energy sector."
#BREAKING (via WH press pool)
WH issues readout of #Biden's convo today with the following int'l leaders "as part of our close coordination on support for #Ukraine," per WH.
#BREAKING #Biden presser re: #Ukraine: "Today, I'm announcing that the United States will be sending 31 [#AbramsTanks] to Ukraine, the equivalent of 1 Ukrainian battalion."
Adds US is "giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain these tanks."
#BREAKING #Biden presser re: #Ukraine: Says today's announcement re: giving Ukraine 31 #AbramsTanks is about "helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land. It is not an offensive threat to Russia. There is no offensive threat to Russia."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) "We do not dictate to the Ukrainians how they operate, where the operate, what missions they conduct, what targets they choose."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says re: status of war: "I think we need to prepare ourselves to have to continue to support Ukraine for quite some time."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says re: if threat of Russia using nuclear weaponry is worsening: (See screenshot because I ran out of character count.)
NEW
US Dept of Defense issues readout of Sec Def #LloydAustin's conversation Wednesday with #Poland's deputy prime minister and minister of nat'l defense, #MariuszBłaszczak, "to discuss plans for current and future security assistance to #Ukraine."
#BREAKING (via WH press pool) #Biden talks w/ journos, saying:
• US will not provide #F16 jets to #Ukraine
• He is "not sure" if he'll visit #Europe re: 1-year anniversary of #Russia's invasion of Ukraine & start of the war
• He plans to visit #Poland, but not sure when
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Comm Admiral #JohnKirby) Says during trip to #Poland, Kirby thinks #Biden "will certainly make clear that add'l security assistance ... will be coming from [US]."
In part two of "A darker shade of red" — my investigative #longreads series for @TNLookout & @statesnewsroom on far-right extremism in #Tennessee: "#WilliamsonCounty, in particular, is the buckle of #ChristianNationalism."
In part three of "A darker shade of red" — my investigative #longreads series for @TNLookout & @statesnewsroom on far-right extremism in #Tennessee: Meet the Fiscuses — and Robin Steenman.
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Comm Admiral #JohnKirby) Says re: whether or not #Biden will meet w/ #Ukraine's pres. during trip: "There is no meeting w/ Pres. #Zelensky scheduled for the trip right now."
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Comm Admiral #JohnKirby) Says US has not and will not tell other countries if they can give #Ukraine fighter aircraft: (See screenshot because I ran out of character count.)
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says re: US taking down a "high-altitude object over #Alaska ... within the last hour": (See screenshot b/c I ran out of characters.)
#BREAKING
WH Press Sec Karine #JeanPierre presser: (Nat'l Security Council Coord for Strategic Communication Admiral #JohnKirby) Says more re: US taking down a "#HighAltitudeObject over #Alaska ... within the last hour": (See screenshot b/c I ran out of characters.)
"The [US] & our allies and partners will continue to provide Ukraine w/ what it needs to defend itself. ... We will stand w/ Ukraine for as long as it takes."
#BREAKING
WH / US Nat'l Security Council spokesperson issues readout of US Nat'l Security Advisor #JakeSullivan conversation today with nat'l security advisors, foreign ministers & other officials from #BucharestNine of #NATO Allies re: #Russia & #Ukraine.
#BREAKING
WH / US Nat'l Security Council spokesperson issues readout of US Nat'l Security Advisor #JakeSullivan's conversation today with #Russia's foreign policy advisor to the president, #YuriyUshakov.
#BREAKING
Nat'l Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne issues readout of Nat'l Security Advisor #JakeSullivan's conversation today with #Ukrain's head of presidential office, #AndriyYermak.