
Biden set to use first State of the Union to condemn Putin for 'premeditated and unprovoked' war
CNN
President Joe Biden will deliver his first State of the Union address in the US House chamber Tuesday evening, using his biggest platform of the year to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.
According to excerpts provided ahead of the speech by the White House, Biden is set to tout the West's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and condemn the Russian leader for his aggression. Biden will also announce that the US will ban Russian aircraft from US airspace, joining a growing number of countries who are closing their skies to Russia, two sources familiar with the decision told CNN.
"Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. And, he thought he could divide us here at home," Biden will say, according to the excerpts. "Putin was wrong. We were ready."