Morning Wire XX
[0] Russia's attack on Ukraine has not gone as planned, with Ukrainian troops and thousands of armed civilians working together to slow down the Russian advance.
[1] With the world rallying behind the Ukrainian people and expanding sanctions on Russia, Vladimir Putin has escalated his threats, even as the two sides discuss potential peace talks.
[2] We'll look at the latest on the conflict, including Elon Musk providing crucial help to Ukrainians.
[3] I'm John Bickley with Georgia Howe.
[4] It's Monday, February 28th, and this is Morning Wire.
[5] As the crisis in Eastern Europe has unfolded, Ukrainian officials have begun to speak out about the role the West and particularly the U .S. are playing in the conflict.
[6] We talked with a government official from Ukraine about the Biden administration's response.
[7] And President Biden has put forward his nominee for the Supreme Court, making good on his promise to select a black female.
[8] Who is Katanji Brown Jackson and what made Biden pick the former U .S. Circuit Court judge for a spot on the nation's top court?
[9] Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire.
[10] Stay tuned.
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[19] As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued over the weekend, end, concerns grew that Vladimir Putin was becoming increasingly erratic in response to unexpected Ukrainian resistance.
[20] On Sunday, Ukraine and Russia agreed to talks without preconditions, while at the same time, Putin escalated nuclear threats.
[21] Here to update us on the weekend's news from Ukraine as Daily Wires Ian Howarth.
[22] Ian, a rapid series of events unfolded over the last couple of days and some surprising developments.
[23] What can't tell us?
[24] Yeah, yet again, there's almost too much to cover since we last gave an update of what's going on on the ground in Ukraine.
[25] That really is.
[26] Russian forces continue to assault key Ukrainian cities over the weekend, but were met with far more resistance than anyone could have expected.
[27] While tens of thousands of Ukrainian women and children have fled, most of them from urban areas, all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 60 were not allowed to leave.
[28] But from the reports I've seen, the vast majority of them have not wanted to leave, and countless Ukrainians have joined the fight, many of them with weapons given to them by the Ukrainian government.
[29] Other citizens were instructed to help with other forms of defense, like making Molotov cocktails to rain down on incoming Russian forces.
[30] Really a remarkable response from citizens.
[31] It really is.
[32] And the Ukrainian strategy is in simple terms far more successful than certainly Putin could have ever predicted.
[33] By Sunday, Russian forces had still not managed to breach the center of Kiev, the capital city, even though they arrived on the outskirts on Friday.
[34] Now, Russian forces have made major inroads in the areas of Ukraine they first invaded.
[35] In the north, they flooded from the Belarus border to the outskirts of Kiev, In the northeast, they've moved inland from the Russian border and on the edge of another major city, Kharkiv.
[36] Based on current information, Russians have entered that city.
[37] They've obviously made progress in the eastern areas of Ukraine already under the control of Russian -backed separatists, and also in the south from the Russian annexed Crimea.
[38] So what had the Russian attacks involved?
[39] There's been a mixture of strategies.
[40] Tanks have been seen moving quickly through the country, but have faced stronger resistance, especially given that Ukrainian forces are now armed with anti -tank weaponry.
[41] There's also been heavy amount of airstrikes, which have resulted in casualties and significant damage.
[42] There have also been attacks involving helicopters or troop planes, dropping paratroopers on various areas.
[43] But again, there have been multiple reports of Ukrainian forces successfully shooting down Russian aircraft.
[44] So whether it be on the ground or in the air, Putin is reportedly surprised by how difficult the initial phase of the invasion has been.
[45] And one person who has obviously been at the center of all this is Ukraine's Prime Minister Zelensky.
[46] Yeah, he's really risen as one of the many heroes in this fight.
[47] On Saturday, for example, it was a was reported that the U .S. offered to evacuate Zelensky, but he turned them down, choosing to stay in Kiev, surrounded by Russian forces.
[48] The fight is here.
[49] I need ammunition, not a ride, he said.
[50] But Zelensky is certainly not alone.
[51] News coming out of Ukraine is replete with acts of heroism, whether it be reports of a Ukrainian Marine giving his life to destroy a bridge to stop a Russian advance or a civilian standing in the front of a Russian tank.
[52] Just amazing.
[53] And what about Putin?
[54] What can you tell us about the latest developments in the Kremlin?
[55] Yeah, and this is where any celebration of initial Ukrainian success might be either short -lived or a little premature.
[56] According to an EU official, Putin is furious that the invasion hasn't been easy, which seems to align with an escalation in his rhetoric.
[57] Once again, I appeal to the Ukrainian armed forces.
[58] Do not allow the neo -Nazis and Benderites to use your children, your wives, and old people as human shields.
[59] Take power into your own hands, like that it will be easier for us.
[60] to come to an agreement than with that gang of druggies and neo -Nazis who have seized Kiev and who are taking the entire Ukrainian people hostage.
[61] And on Sunday, Putin ordered the status of Russian's nuclear deterrent forces to special combat readiness, worrying many who see Putin as increasingly unstable.
[62] Former Secretary of State Conno Lisa Rice was one such voice.
[63] He was always calculating and cold, but this is different.
[64] He seems erratic.
[65] There is an ever -deepening delusional rendering of history.
[66] It was always a kind of victimology about what had happened to them.
[67] But now it goes back to blaming Lenin for the foundation of Kiev of Ukraine.
[68] And what about the international response to this invasion?
[69] Again, there's almost too much to cover here.
[70] After last week's wave of new sanctions and international uproar, there were further waves of high -level responses.
[71] Sanctions on SWIFT, the international banking system would finally be imposed after European leaders agreed, while Russian airlines are facing an almost complete airspace ban to the West, with the EU and the UK blocking flights.
[72] And then there are lower -level responses, worldwide protests, expressions of support, and boycotts on Russian products.
[73] And we should also remember that protests are being held in Russia or by Russians, both on the streets or in public events, and thousands of Russians have been arrested, according to human rights groups.
[74] Right, the backlash from Russians has been surprising too.
[75] Now, Elon Musk has also gotten involved.
[76] Can you tell us about that?
[77] Yeah, Musk responded to a request from the Ukrainian government to open up his Starlink Internet service over the country.
[78] That will make it impossible for Russia to block Ukrainians from accessing the Internet.
[79] Incredible.
[80] There are also calls for much more, such as Zelensky demanding that Russia lose its United Nations Security Council spot, or those looking to cut Russia off at the knees by targeting their energy exports.
[81] For example, the U .S. still buys Russian oil, but the Biden administration appears determined not to expand U .S. energy production as a solution.
[82] And as Georgia mentioned, the latest major news, which could be a tipping point, is that Ukraine and Russia will meet at the Belarus border for talks, notably without preconditions.
[83] So we'll have to keep an eye on those talks to see if they result in a lasting truce or if things continue to escalate.
[84] Well, the unified response against Russia has been truly inspiring to watch.
[85] It has.
[86] Thanks for the overview, Ian.
[87] Thanks, John.
[88] DailyWire's Ian Howarth.
[89] Coming up, a Ukrainian official calls for more help from the West.
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[94] The conflict in Ukraine has heightened the situation.
[95] scrutiny on President Biden's handling of the situation, with even some members of Ukraine's government voicing concerns.
[96] Columnist David Marcus has been in touch with a member of Ukraine's government.
[97] He joins us now.
[98] So David, first, great to have you back on.
[99] Good to be here.
[100] Now, what did this member of the Ukraine government tell you regarding the way the U .S. has handled foreign policy?
[101] Well, the member used some strong language in condemning their handling of it.
[102] This really went back to the Obama administration's unwillingness to arm the U .S. Ukrainians, or in their view, to stand up to Putin.
[103] The official did acknowledge that President Trump sent some arms during his presidency, but was quite angry as what they described as Biden's wishy -washy approach to the run -up to the invasion.
[104] Now, what specifically were the complaints and how could this have been handled differently?
[105] Like many of the president's domestic critics, the official pointed to his failure to sanction Russia prior to the invasion, going all the way back to last year and lifting the sanctions on Nord Stream 2.
[106] And perhaps most interestingly, they didn't understand why the president took the use of American or NATO troops off the table.
[107] It wasn't so much an argument for troops as a question of why make concessions when you aren't getting any.
[108] So the argument there was that it effectively took away a key deterrent.
[109] Exactly.
[110] So going forward, what would this Ukrainian official like to see America do from here?
[111] I think like almost everyone in the Ukrainian government, the message is send weapons, weapons, weapons, along with severe economic sanctions, which have indeed been building in recent days.
[112] I got the sense they were saying Ukraine is doing its part but needs more Western help.
[113] And there's evidence that in the longer the Ukrainians can hold out, the more the West is helping, which is increasingly rankling Putin.
[114] Now, in terms of public opinion and messaging on social media, it seems pretty clear that the Western world, at least, is completely on Ukraine's side.
[115] Are people on the ground in Ukraine aware of that?
[116] Absolutely.
[117] 100%.
[118] This official and Ukrainians in general know they're winning the war for hearts and minds, and that Putin's actions are being viewed as increasingly unhinged.
[119] The microphone is proving as mighty as the sword, at least for now, and they know it.
[120] Well, as we mentioned in the previous segment, the resistance from Ukrainians has taken a lot of people by surprise, and it's really changed the equation.
[121] It definitely has.
[122] David, thanks for coming on.
[123] Enjoyed it.
[124] That's Daily Wire contributor, David Marcus.
[125] On Friday, President Biden announced his pick for the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy.
[126] The president nominated Judge Katanji Brown Jackson to replace retiring justice Stephen Breyer, fulfilling his campaign promise to nominate a black woman to the highest court in the land.
[127] Here with more on the upcoming nomination process is Daily Wire's Cabot Phillips.
[128] So, Cabot, you told us last week this was likely going to be the pick.
[129] Now that we've got confirmation, what can you tell us about Judge Jackson's background?
[130] Well, first, I want to thank you for reminding everyone.
[131] I did get this one right.
[132] Well, it comes rare enough that we've got to highlight it, don't we?
[133] I can't take too much credit.
[134] It wasn't a huge surprise, as Judge Jackson had long been rumored as the most likely choice.
[135] In 2012, President Obama pointed her to the D .C. District Court, where she served until 2021 when President Biden nominated her to the D .C. Circuit Court.
[136] so kind of a promotion.
[137] Before that, she attended Harvard for both her undergrad and law school, and then after college, clerked for Justice Breyer from 1999 to 2000, and then served as a public defender.
[138] And another important part of Jackson's bio, at least for Democrats, is that she's only 51.
[139] Right.
[140] That would make her the youngest justice, with the exception of Amy Coney -Barritt and give liberals, say, presence on the court for what they hope would be a few decades.
[141] Yeah, many see that as very important.
[142] Based on her past rulings, what do we know about Jackson's?
[143] judicial philosophy.
[144] Well, ultimately, that's what the upcoming confirmation process will determine, but her history on the circuit and district courts definitely gives us an idea.
[145] During Trump's tenure, she ruled against his administration on multiple high -profile issues.
[146] In one case, she temporarily blocked a Trump policy that would have fast -tracked deportations, while on another, she sided with House Democrats ruling that members of the Trump administration would not be exempt from testifying in the Russian collusion trial.
[147] Now, President Biden made headlines when he announced that he'd only be nominating a black woman to the position.
[148] How is that played into the process?
[149] Look, by judicial standards, Judge Jackson is qualified.
[150] She's got all the experience that a typical Supreme Court nominee would have.
[151] The problem that a lot of Republicans have, though, is that President Biden essentially limited the pool of potential nominees to a sliver of the population.
[152] They say it's a contradiction to say you're going through a, quote, rigorous process as he defined his search for the most qualified candidate and then ultimately make the decision based on skin color and gender.
[153] Now, obviously, Democrats view it differently.
[154] They say diversifying the court is essential to creating a balanced judicial system.
[155] And they've already started to say Republicans' opposition to Jackson is doing part to her being a black woman.
[156] Now, that is almost certain to be brought up during the nomination process.
[157] Speaking of, what do we know about the upcoming nomination process?
[158] So Congress, as you know, is almost entirely focused on Ukraine right now.
[159] So we haven't heard much yet from the senators who will be conducting the process.
[160] But back in 2021, the Senate did confirm her to the circuit court with a 53 -44 vote, though it's expected to be a much tougher process this time.
[161] Remember, this is the first liberal nominee since Democrats put Justice Kavanaugh through the ringer back in 2018.
[162] And a lot of Republicans felt like he was unfairly maligned.
[163] And in response, vowed to hold Democrats to that same standard of the next go -round.
[164] But ultimately, no matter how much pushback there is, Democrats just need all 50 of their members to vote yes.
[165] as they can count on Vice President Harris for the tie -breaking vote.
[166] Well, it sort of sounds like the quiet before the storm here.
[167] Cabot, thanks for the reporting.
[168] Anytime.
[169] That's DailyWire's Cabot Phillips.
[170] Another story we're tracking this week.
[171] The CDC has officially eased mask recommendations for most Americans.
[172] Under the CDC's previous guidance, indoor masking was recommended for about 95 % of Americans based on levels of community spread.
[173] On Friday, the CDC announced that now masks are appropriate for only about 30 % of Americans.
[174] The guidance does not affect mask use on public transportation, including airplanes.
[175] If you like this episode and are interested in hearing more, subscribe to Morning Wire on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening, and give us a five -star review.
[176] That's all the time we've got this morning.
[177] Thanks for waking up with us.
[178] We'll be back tomorrow with the news you need to know.