Biden news today: President speaking with Zelensky before major speech on Covid-19
Biden stands by Putin removal comment but insists he’s not changing policy
Joe Biden is speaking with Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the situation in Ukraine. The call comes after Mr Biden remarked that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power”, and as Ukrainian and Russian negotiators discuss a de-escalation agreement that could see Russia draw down forces from the area near Kyiv.
After his call with the Ukrainian president, Mr Biden will give a speech on the state of the Covid-19 pandemic in the US. The FDA has just given clearance to a second booster shot for all Americans over 50 and those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable to the virus,
Meanwhile, after contentious nomination hearings that saw Republican senators harangue her about critical race theory and her record sentencing sexual offenders who targeted children, Ketanji Brown Jackson has picked up a crucial supporter: Maine Senator Susan Collins, who has become the first Republican to announce she will vote to confirm Joe Biden’s first Supreme Court nominee.
The news all but guarantees Ms Jackson’s confirmation. She has already secured the support of West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, who was thought to be the likeliest of his party’s 50 senators to withhold his support.
White House readout of Zelensky call
President Biden spoke today with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine about the ongoing work by the United States and its allies and partners to deliver military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and to impose severe costs on Russia for its brutal aggression against Ukraine. The leaders discussed how the United States is working around the clock to fulfill the main security assistance requests by Ukraine, the critical effects those weapons have had on the conflict, and continued efforts by the United States with allies and partners to identify additional capabilities to help the Ukrainian military defend its country. In addition, President Biden informed President Zelenskyy that the United States intends to provide the Ukrainian government with $500 million in direct budgetary aid. He also reviewed the additional sanctions and humanitarian assistance announced last week. President Zelenskyy updated President Biden on the status of Ukraine’s negotiations with Russia.
The White House – March 30 2022
Oliver O’Connell30 March 2022 17:28
Biden and Zelensky wrap up hour-long call
President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have just wrapped up a 55-minute call about the latest developments regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky tweeted: “Just finished an hour-long conversation with @POTUS. Shared assessment of the situation on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. Talked about specific defensive support, a new package of enhanced sanctions, macro-financial and humanitarian aid.”
Oliver O’Connell30 March 2022 17:19
Why the FDA approved another Covid booster
The FDA’s decision to approve a second booster shot – which Joe Biden is set to receive on camera later today – for the over-50s comes as a new “sibling” to the omicron variant drives up case numbers in Europe. The US’s numbers remain low, and the standard two-doses-and-a-booster model still provides good protection against serious illness, but clearly the regulators are still inclined toward caution even as much of life returns to something like a pre-pandemic normal.
Andrew Naughtie30 March 2022 16:48
Biden to receive second Covid booster
As Joe Biden prepares to address the US on the state of the Covid-19 pandemic, he is also preparing to receive his second booster shot – this after the FDA gave the go-ahead for another dose for all Americans over 50.
Andrew Naughtie30 March 2022 16:18
White House: Biden to speak with Zelensky
The White House says that Joe Biden will shortly be speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “to discuss our continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.” The two will presumably also discuss Mr Biden’s remark that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power”.
Andrew Naughtie30 March 2022 15:44
Biden administration recalibrating on Russia’s nuclear strategy
The “kinetic” aspect of the Ukrainian conflict has so far played out almost entirely in Ukrainian territory, but the implications for the world’s strategic balance are still huge – particularly in the nuclear realm, with Vladimir Putin putting his nuclear forces on a “special regime of combat duty” just two days after his army invaded the neighbouring country.
The Biden administration and other Nato governments are now trying to rework their strategy for a Russian nuclear escalation, or even an accident involving nuclear reactors or waste storage facilities damaged by the invading forces.
Jonathan Tirone has this report.
Andrew Naughtie30 March 2022 15:32
GOP Senator: Joe Biden should stop…
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