Pivoting from his remarks on Ukraine, Biden reminded the nation that we “lived through two of the hardest years this nation has ever faced” amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the “punishing” cost that has had on American families.

“So many families are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep up with the rising cost of food, gas, housing, and so much more. I understand.”

Biden highlighted the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law after taking office, saying, "Few pieces of legislation have done more at a critical moment in our history to lift us out of crisis."

He said the legislation "fueled efforts" to vaccinate Americans, deliver relief and cut insurance costs, and he took a swipe at his predecessor’s tax cut bill that was signed in 2017.

“Unlike the $2 trillion tax cut passed in the previous administration that benefitted the top 1% of Americans," he said, prompting scattered boos, "the American Rescue Plan helped working people -- and left no one behind. And it worked. It created jobs. Lots of jobs," he said.

-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez

Biden addressed the severe sanctions the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, saying they have made Russian President Vladimir Putin's "$630 billion war fund worthless."

"Tonight I say to the Russian oligarchs and the corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime, no more," Biden said.

The president further announced that the U.S. will be closing off its airspace to all Russian flights, "further isolating Russia and adding an additional squeeze on their economy."

"He has no idea what's coming," Biden said of Putin.

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.

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