Biden to deliver first State of the Union in the shadow of Russia’s attack on Ukraine

President Joe Biden will give his first State of the Union address as Russia's invasion of Ukraine overshadows his policy goals at home.

The president is expected to condemn the war that has isolated Moscow from the rest of the world.

According to an excerpt of Biden's speech released in advance, he will tell the nation that Putin must pay a price for invading Ukraine.

He wants to paint his first year in office as a success. He is likely to describe a country that has been through the worst of the coronaviruses epidemic.

He may have to address the hurdles that have hurt his approval rating. The worst inflation in decades and a stalling economic plan are included.

The Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova spoke to reporters about the attack on her country by Russia.

Kevin Lamarque.

A White House official confirmed that the Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, will be attending the State of the Union address. The first lady has a viewing box.

Markarova, the former Minister of Finance, welcomed all the sanctions levied against Russia.

Macias.

Senate Minority Leader McConnell speaks to reporters as other senators listen.

Elizabeth Frantz.

For the first time in nearly two years, covid masks will be optional at the State of the Union address by President Joe Biden.

NBC News obtained a memo that was distributed to congressional offices on Monday.

The memo said that wear is no longer required and that wear is an individual choice. The change could be seen on Tuesday afternoon, as senators appeared maskless to speak to reporters after their weekly party lunches.

Attendees of Biden's State of the Union will be required to show a negative test before entering.

The new congressional mask rules could mark the end of a particularly ugly chapter in the history of the legislative branch, during which bitter fights over Covid precautions resulted in several House members being fined tens of thousands of dollars for repeated mask violations.

Christina Wilkie.

The House Select Committee investigated the attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., on July 27, 2021.

The person is Chip Somodevilla.

The State of the Union address will be missing at least four members of Congress after they tested positive for Covid.

Hours before the joint session of Congress was set to convene, those results came. The Capitol's attending physician told members on Sunday that masks would no longer be required.

None of the four lawmakers who are Democrats have reported symptoms of the disease.

They are.

• Sen. Alex Padilla of California, who said he is asymptomatic;
• Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who said he is experiencing “pretty mild” flu-like symptoms and will be “closely” listening to Biden’s speech from home;
• Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, who said she is isolating and working remotely after receiving a positive test result this morning;
• and Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, who said he has mild symptoms. “I’m incredibly grateful for the protections against serious illness provided by the free and widely available vaccine,” Aguilar said in a statement.

Kevin Breuninger.