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

"We are stronger today than we were a year ago," the president said.

President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address as Russian strikes were killing civilians, forces were massing near Ukraine's capital Kyiv and Russian President Vladimir Putin showed no sign of backing down.


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Show of support for Ukraine on display

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.


Ukraine at top of address

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 departs White House

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 to call for more policing funding, not defunding the police

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


Biden to stress leadership on Ukraine

President Joe Biden's 9 p.m. ET speech, to be carried live on national television and seen around the world, will be delivered just days after Russia invaded Ukraine -- and days after he nominated the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court.

But he'll also be speaking to Americans suffering from historic inflation as the nation continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

With his job approval at an all-time low of 37%, Biden faces the difficult task of balancing their pain with his desire to reap the political benefits of his legislative wins so far -- a massive COVID relief package and a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation's infrastructure -- while also demonstrating his leadership on one of the greatest threats to European stability since World War II.
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson