State of the Union: Biden rebukes Putin, offers 'unity agenda'

Members of Congress are showing solidarity with Ukraine during the State of the Union address, from their clothing to Ukrainian flags in the chamber.

Among those wearing blue are House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and First Lady Jill Biden, whose office confirmed to ABC News she was wearing blue tonight in support of Ukraine. In another sign of support for Ukraine, the first lady has an embroidered appliqué of a sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, sewn to the sleeve of her dress near her wrist, according to the White House.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., sported traditional Ukrainian garb.

Biden kicked off his first State of the Union addressing the conflict in Ukraine.

"Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways," Biden said. "But he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined."

He introduced the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Oksana Markarova, who received a standing ovation from the crowd. She was seated with First Lady Jill Biden, holding a small Ukrainian flag.

The Ukrainians' "fearlessness, their courage, their determination, literally inspires the world," Biden said to applause.

Biden and First Lady Jill Biden left the White House just a few moments ago for the short drive up Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol, where the president will deliver his first State of the Union address tonight.

Biden did not respond to a shouted question asking if Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed war crimes in Ukraine.

-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez

Biden tonight will touch on his plan to address crime and make the case for more community-based policing, rather than defunding the police, a White House official told ABC News.

"He'll make clear that the answer is not to defund the police, it’s to put more police -- with better training and more accountability -- out to take back our streets and make our neighborhoods safer," the White House official said. "And he’ll talk about the steps his administration has taken -- and will continue to take -- to advance that accountability and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve."

Biden will also call on Congress to address gun violence, and pass "common-sense" gun violence legislation that will save lives, according to the official.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle