Biden news - live: President speaks with Zelensky amid warnings Putin’s forces could storm Kyiv within hours

Follow the latest updates on President Joe Biden’s address to the nation about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Biden says that ‘Putin chose this war and he will pay’ as US ready to use ‘full force’

President Joe Biden has called Russian president Vladimir Putin an “aggressor” who “chose this war” as he announced a series of “major” sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine.

Mr Biden said the sanctions will have a “long-term” impact on Moscow as the US was restricting large Russian banks and targeting families who are close to the Kremlin.

Mr Biden’s address to the nation came after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning with a series of missile attacks on cities including the capital Kiev.

Since then, dozens of Ukrainians have been killed, civilians are fleeing their homes, global markets have plunged and Russian forces have seized the site of the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

The United Nations meanwhile is expected to vote on a US-drafted resolution condemning Russia on Friday.

Though the resolution is likely to fail with Russia exercising its veto, US and its allies want to send the message that Russia stands isolated for its actions.

In addition, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley has also also had a phone conversation with allies in Europe today to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

KEY POINTS

• Biden says Putin ‘will pay’, announces ‘major’ sanctions on Russia
• Russia's financial institutions, energy sector target of US sanctions
• Mitch McConnell urges Biden to ‘ratchet up’ sanctions against Russia
• Former presidents Bush and Obama back Biden’s sanctions
• President to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson to Scotus

[26 February 2022 04:04 · John Bowden]

GOP response to Biden Scotus pick shows necessity of Democratic Party’s unity

Republicans had mixed reactions to the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday, and demonstrated why Joe Biden will likely just rely on his own party to get the nomination through.

Statements from several GOP senators claiming that their past votes to confirm Ms Jackson to her current spot at the federal appeals level did not guarantee that she would receive their support in the weeks ahead lead to exasperated questions from reporters and Democrats regarding whether any Republicans were acting in good faith.

Read more about the GOP’s reaction to the president’s nomination of America’s first Black female Scotus nominee:

[26 February 2022 03:00 · John Bowden]

Biden’s former boss praises first Black woman Scotus nominee

Barack Obama issued a rare statement on Friday as the nation’s first Black president was called to give his input on his former Vice President’s choice of nominee to the Supreme Court.

Mr Obama praised his former no. 2 for an “excellent choice” of Scotus nominee, and celebrated the historical nature of Ms Brown Jackson’s nomination.

“I want to congratulate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her nomination to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson has already inspired young Black women like my daughters to set their sights higher, and her confirmation will help them believe they can be anything they want to be,” said the 44th president.

[26 February 2022 02:00 · John Bowden]

Read Ketanji Brown Jackson’s most notable opinions from the bench

Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson isn’t on the bench of the nation’s highest court yet, but she has already made a mark on the American judiciary.

One of her most important rulings came in 2019, at the height of the investigation into Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia.

See how Ms Brown Jackson has ruled on some of the nation’s most hot-button issues:

[26 February 2022 01:30 · John Bowden]

Who is Ketanji Brown Jackson

As Joe Biden makes official his historic pick for the next justice on the Supreme Court, The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg takes a deep dive into the record and history of Kentanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be nominated to the high court.

[26 February 2022 01:00 · John Bowden]

Brexiteer Nigel Farage urges US take stronger stance against Russia

Nigel Farage, the UK politician and gadfly, said on Friday that the Biden administration needed to take a stronger stance against Vladimir Putin if the US wished to continue leading the Nato alliance.

He made the comments during an address to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Florida.

“So there needs to be a big public debate in America right now about … if you wish to continue leading Nato. And if you do, that message must be sent loud and clear to Vladimir Putin. Because you know, if it’s not, if that message isn’t sent, I think Putin may well continue. I’ve come to that conclusion over the last few days,” he said.

[26 February 2022 00:30 · John Bowden]

Biden administration vows additional support for Ukraine

The Pentagon on Friday vowed that the US was planning additional weapons and defensive shipments to Ukraine in the coming days, though details on the shipments were not given.

“We are going to provide additional security assistance for Ukraine. We will,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

UKRAINE: The Pentagon states clearly, "we are going to provide additional security assistance for Ukraine. We will." They acknowledge that the air space is contested and are determining how exactly to provide that assistance. pic.twitter.com/FlwT08nlhJ

— Forbes (@Forbes) February 25, 2022

[26 February 2022 00:00 · John Bowden]

What are the sanctions announced by the Biden administration this week?

The Biden administration announced a host of new sanctions targeting both Russia and its key ally Belarus on Thursday.

Despite the White House’s statements, Russia’s energy sector did not escape the wrath of the Treasury Department over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Read more about the sanctions and which entities were affected:

[25 February 2022 23:30 · John Bowden]

Biden scores easy win with Russia sanctions

A new poll shows that majorities of Americans in both parties support slapping sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, a move President Joe Biden announced on Thursday.

The polling data means the issue is an easy win for Mr Biden, who is seeking such wins to boost his approval ratings ahead of potentially-damaging midterms for his party.

Two in three Americans supported such sanctions, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll, including majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans.

[25 February 2022 23:00 · John Bowden]

Vandalism at DC Russia-themed bar

The global backlash against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been severe. After a video showed protesters in Ireland banging on the windows of a car transporting the Russian ambassador, residents of Washington DC reported vandalism at the popular Dupont Circle-area bar “Russia House”.

The Russia-themed establishment took down its Russian flag overnight but that was not enough to deter the vandals, who smashed windows at the small restaurant and bar.

Washington DC’s Russia House restaurant has reportedly been vandalized. Stupid. Don’t succumb to the same ethnic bigotry that fuels the Kremlin’s deranged thinking. pic.twitter.com/l0oiuQvOsR

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) February 25, 2022

[25 February 2022 22:30 · John Bowden]

New York Times publishes photos of destroyed Russian tanks, slain soldiers

Gruesome images from Ukraine’s newfound conflict with Russia were published by The New York Times on Friday as the conflict between the two countries continued into its second day.

One image in particular depicted ruined military vehicles and a slain soldier, which the Times identified as Russian in origin.

See more at the Times: