MARCH 24, 2022
President Biden Holds News Conference in Brussels
President Biden announced the United States would provide more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine during a press conference in Brussels after meeting with NATO allies. The president also announced the U.S. will welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees into the United States, and levy additional sanctions against 400 Russians. When asked if he believes Russia should be removed from the G-20, President Biden responded, “My answer is, yes. That depends on the G-20.”
President Biden announced the United States would provide more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine during a press conference in Brussels after meeting with NATO allies. The president also announced the U.S. will welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees into the United States, and levy additional sanctions against 400 Russians. When asked if he believes Russia should be removed from the G-20, President Biden responded, “My answer is, yes. That depends on the G-20.”
President Biden Holds a Press Conference
Mar 25, 2022
Mar 25, 2022
Remarks by President Biden in Press Conference
MARCH 24, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSNATO Headquarters
Brussels, Belgium
6:32 P.M. CET
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, everyone. With all the press that’s here, you must be getting very tired. Am I the 16th or 17th? At any rate, all kidding aside, thank you for taking the time.
I — today marks one month since Russia began its carnage in Ukraine, the brutal invasion of Ukraine. And we held a NATO summit the very next day. At that time, my overwhelming objective, wanting that summit, was to have absolute unity on three key important issues among our NATO and European allies.
First was to support Ukraine with military and humanitarian assistance.
Second was to impose the most significant — the most significant sanctions — economic sanction regime ever, in order to cripple Putin’s economy and punish him for his actions.
Third was to fortify the eastern flank of our NATO Allies, who were obviously very, very concerned and somewhat at — worried what would happen.
We accomplished all three of these. And today, we’re determined to sustain those efforts and to build on them.
The United States has committed to provide over $2 billion in military equipment to Ukraine since I became President — anti-air systems, anti-armor systems, ammunition. And our weapons are flowing into Ukraine as I speak.
And today, I’m announcing the United States have prepared to commit more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to help get relief to millions of Ukrainians affected by the war in Ukraine.
Many Ukrainian refugees will wish to stay in Europe, closer to their homes. But we’ve also — will welcome 100,000 Ukrainians to the United States with a focus on reuniting families.
And we will invest $320 million to bolster democratic resilience and defend human rights in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
We’re also coordinating with the G7 and the European Union on food security, as well as energy security, and I’ll have more to say about that tomorrow.
We’re also announcing new sanctions of more than 400 individuals and entities aligned with — in alignment with the European Union: more than 300 members of the Duma, oligarchs, and Russian defense companies that fuel the Russian war machine.
In addition to the 100,000 U.S. forces now stationed in Europe to defend NATO territory, NATO established, as you already know, four new battle groups in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia to reinforce the eastern front.
Putin was banking on NATO being split. In my early conversation with him in December and early January, it was clear to me he didn’t think we could sustain this cohesion.
NATO has never, never been more united than it is today. Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into Ukraine.
We built that same unity with our European — the European Union and with the leading democracies of the G7 — in the G7.
So I want to thank you, and I’ll be now happy to take your questions. Since there’s so many people out there, I’m going to — I’ve been given a list... more
MARCH 24, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSNATO Headquarters
Brussels, Belgium
6:32 P.M. CET
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, everyone. With all the press that’s here, you must be getting very tired. Am I the 16th or 17th? At any rate, all kidding aside, thank you for taking the time.
I — today marks one month since Russia began its carnage in Ukraine, the brutal invasion of Ukraine. And we held a NATO summit the very next day. At that time, my overwhelming objective, wanting that summit, was to have absolute unity on three key important issues among our NATO and European allies.
First was to support Ukraine with military and humanitarian assistance.
Second was to impose the most significant — the most significant sanctions — economic sanction regime ever, in order to cripple Putin’s economy and punish him for his actions.
Third was to fortify the eastern flank of our NATO Allies, who were obviously very, very concerned and somewhat at — worried what would happen.
We accomplished all three of these. And today, we’re determined to sustain those efforts and to build on them.
The United States has committed to provide over $2 billion in military equipment to Ukraine since I became President — anti-air systems, anti-armor systems, ammunition. And our weapons are flowing into Ukraine as I speak.
And today, I’m announcing the United States have prepared to commit more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to help get relief to millions of Ukrainians affected by the war in Ukraine.
Many Ukrainian refugees will wish to stay in Europe, closer to their homes. But we’ve also — will welcome 100,000 Ukrainians to the United States with a focus on reuniting families.
And we will invest $320 million to bolster democratic resilience and defend human rights in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
We’re also coordinating with the G7 and the European Union on food security, as well as energy security, and I’ll have more to say about that tomorrow.
We’re also announcing new sanctions of more than 400 individuals and entities aligned with — in alignment with the European Union: more than 300 members of the Duma, oligarchs, and Russian defense companies that fuel the Russian war machine.
In addition to the 100,000 U.S. forces now stationed in Europe to defend NATO territory, NATO established, as you already know, four new battle groups in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia to reinforce the eastern front.
Putin was banking on NATO being split. In my early conversation with him in December and early January, it was clear to me he didn’t think we could sustain this cohesion.
NATO has never, never been more united than it is today. Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into Ukraine.
We built that same unity with our European — the European Union and with the leading democracies of the G7 — in the G7.
So I want to thank you, and I’ll be now happy to take your questions. Since there’s so many people out there, I’m going to — I’ve been given a list... more
MARCH 24, 2022
Senator Bennet Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Jackson
Judiciary Committee member Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) meets with Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as confirmation hearings on her nomination conclude.
Senator Bennet Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Jackson
Judiciary Committee member Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) meets with Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as confirmation hearings on her nomination conclude.
MARCH 24, 2022 | PART OF U.S. SENATEU.S. Senate
Senator Durbin on Nomination of Judge Jackson to Supreme Court
Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor of the Senate in response to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) opposition to Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Senator Durbin on Nomination of Judge Jackson to Supreme Court
Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor of the Senate in response to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) opposition to Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
WATCH: Durbin and Cruz spar over release of pre-sentencing reports in Jackson cases
Mar 24, 2022
As the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on March 23, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that he received a letter signed by 10 Republican members who voiced concerns over whether they have access to the same information that’s been given to Democrats and the White House. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., was the lone Republican on the committee who didn’t sign the letter.
Durbin affirmed that Republicans, Democrats and the White House are all privy to the same information.
He added that he is opposed to the letter’s request for pre-sentence reports from some of Jackson’s cases, which are typically filed under seal and “can contain highly sensitive personal information not just about the defendant, but about innocent third parties and victims.”
“I would not want it weighing on my conscience that we are turning over these pre-sentence reports to this committee — for the first time in history — and that information out of this or because it was released would somehow compromise or endanger any victim as a result of it,” Durbin added.
He emphasized that examining pre-sentencing reports is a “critical policy question” that goes far beyond Jackson’s nomination. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded to Durbin, saying that he wrote the letter in question.
He argued that Jackson herself said that members did not have the necessary information to assess her sentencing decisions in the absence of reports from the probation office.
Cruz added that he’s “confident” his fellow members would be willing to redact any personal information from victims within those reports, and said they have the statutory authority to make their request. Sen.
Mike Lee, R-Utah, also noted that it’s not unusual for members of the committee to review sensitive materials, and said that he and his colleagues would be happy to review redacted versions of the pre-sentencing reports.
“Not one of us wants to endanger anyone or render public information that is sensitive in nature,” Lee said, adding there are “abundant ways around that.”
But Durbin remained firm in his opposition to the release of those reports, adding that he doubts they would change any members’ mind in terms of how they plan to vote on Jackson’s nomination.
“I am not going to be party to turning over this information and endangering the life of an innocent person for a political quest to find more information,” Durbin said. “We have exhausted this topic, we’ve gone through it over and over again.
And I think this is a bridge too far for this committee.” Wednesday was senators’ final day to question Jackson, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.
Mar 24, 2022
As the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on March 23, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that he received a letter signed by 10 Republican members who voiced concerns over whether they have access to the same information that’s been given to Democrats and the White House. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., was the lone Republican on the committee who didn’t sign the letter.
Durbin affirmed that Republicans, Democrats and the White House are all privy to the same information.
He added that he is opposed to the letter’s request for pre-sentence reports from some of Jackson’s cases, which are typically filed under seal and “can contain highly sensitive personal information not just about the defendant, but about innocent third parties and victims.”
“I would not want it weighing on my conscience that we are turning over these pre-sentence reports to this committee — for the first time in history — and that information out of this or because it was released would somehow compromise or endanger any victim as a result of it,” Durbin added.
He emphasized that examining pre-sentencing reports is a “critical policy question” that goes far beyond Jackson’s nomination. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded to Durbin, saying that he wrote the letter in question.
He argued that Jackson herself said that members did not have the necessary information to assess her sentencing decisions in the absence of reports from the probation office.
Cruz added that he’s “confident” his fellow members would be willing to redact any personal information from victims within those reports, and said they have the statutory authority to make their request. Sen.
Mike Lee, R-Utah, also noted that it’s not unusual for members of the committee to review sensitive materials, and said that he and his colleagues would be happy to review redacted versions of the pre-sentencing reports.
“Not one of us wants to endanger anyone or render public information that is sensitive in nature,” Lee said, adding there are “abundant ways around that.”
But Durbin remained firm in his opposition to the release of those reports, adding that he doubts they would change any members’ mind in terms of how they plan to vote on Jackson’s nomination.
“I am not going to be party to turning over this information and endangering the life of an innocent person for a political quest to find more information,” Durbin said. “We have exhausted this topic, we’ve gone through it over and over again.
And I think this is a bridge too far for this committee.” Wednesday was senators’ final day to question Jackson, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.
MARCH 24, 2022
President Biden Meeting with EU Council President
President Biden met with EU Council President Charles Michel in Brussels ahead of a meeting on the war in Ukraine.
President Biden Meeting with EU Council President
President Biden met with EU Council President Charles Michel in Brussels ahead of a meeting on the war in Ukraine.
EU Summit: Boris Johnson left out in cold as bloc opens doors to Joe Biden
The EU has snubbed Boris Johnson by leaving him out in the cold during today's EU summit - while extending an invite to US President Joe Biden.
Mar 24 - The EU summit is one of three key meetings of world leaders taking place in Brussels today - to discuss a "united" strategy to support Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. Mr Johnson will play a key part in both the NATO and G7 summits. But the EU has snubbed the Prime Minister by blocking his attendance - despite inviting President Biden. There is speculation the Prime Minister's comments over the weekend comparing the war in Ukraine to Brexit played a role. quoted from Express
The EU has snubbed Boris Johnson by leaving him out in the cold during today's EU summit - while extending an invite to US President Joe Biden.
Mar 24 - The EU summit is one of three key meetings of world leaders taking place in Brussels today - to discuss a "united" strategy to support Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. Mr Johnson will play a key part in both the NATO and G7 summits. But the EU has snubbed the Prime Minister by blocking his attendance - despite inviting President Biden. There is speculation the Prime Minister's comments over the weekend comparing the war in Ukraine to Brexit played a role. quoted from Express
Francesca Edwards
Ukraine 'should look at Europe as its home'
Ukraine "should look at Europe as its home", says European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Metsola said: "Naturally this is a process, but today what we need is to make sure that the strongest message is maintained and is kept.”
She added that it would be a big mistake “if that was not what emerged from tonight.”
Francesca Edwards
'Putin's objective is to 'break up NATO'- Biden
President Biden has arrived at the European Council summit where he was greeted by President of the European Council Charles Michel.
Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aim “since the beginning” has been to “break up NATO.”
He said: “His overwhelming objective is to demonstrate that democracies cannot function in the 21st century … and autocracies are going to rule."
He added that NATO, the G7 and the European Union are "vital" in the fight against Putin.
'Putin's objective is to 'break up NATO'- Biden
President Biden has arrived at the European Council summit where he was greeted by President of the European Council Charles Michel.
Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aim “since the beginning” has been to “break up NATO.”
He said: “His overwhelming objective is to demonstrate that democracies cannot function in the 21st century … and autocracies are going to rule."
He added that NATO, the G7 and the European Union are "vital" in the fight against Putin.
