| | | | |  | | By Eugene Daniels and Garrett Ross | | | DEVELOPING — "Ukraine and Russia draw up neutrality plan to end war," by FT's Max Seddon, Roman Olearchyk and Arash Massoudi: "Ukraine and Russia have made significant progress on a tentative 15-point peace plan including a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal if Kyiv declares neutrality and accepts limits on its armed forces, according to three people involved in the talks. "The proposed deal, which Ukrainian and Russian negotiators discussed in full for the first time on Monday, would involve Kyiv renouncing its ambitions to join NATO and promising not to host foreign military bases or weaponry in exchange for protection from allies such as the US, UK and Turkey, the people said." ZELENSKYY ASKS CONGRESS FOR NO-FLY ZONE — "'I have a dream.' These words are known to each of you. Today, I can say, 'I have a need: I need to protect our sky.'" In a virtual address to members of Congress this morning, Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY invoked the words of MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. and referenced the 9/11 and Pearl Harbor attacks as he requested new aid from President JOE BIDEN and lawmakers. The Ukrainian president also renewed his calls for a "humanitarian no-fly zone" over Ukraine that would allow medicine and food to flow in. U.S. officials have pushed back on this idea before, saying it could further incite tensions with Russia and risk direct military action with a nuclear power. "Is this a lot to ask for, to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people? Is this too much to ask?" Zelenskyy said. "A humanitarian no-fly zone is something that [means] Russia would not be able to terrorize our free cities. If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative." What's the alternative? Zelenskyy suggested sending Ukraine surface-to-air missiles as well as airplanes so that it can defend itself, suggested further sanctions on Russian lawmakers and a new international association of nations ("United for Peace" or "U24") aimed at quickly mobilizing military, financial and humanitarian support "to keep the peace and quickly the save the world to save lives." (The Pentagon has been reluctant to send any additional planes, claiming that Ukraine isn't currently using the aircraft it already has, per a background briefing last week.) The Ukrainian president also played a video editing together clips of Russia's military onslaught, including the bombing of residential buildings and graphic scenes of injured or dead Ukrainians. At the end of his speech, speaking in English, Zelenskyy made a direct appeal to Biden: "You are the leader of the nation. … I wish you to be the leader of the world. To be the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace." More from Samuel Benson, Burgess Everett and Andrew Desiderio TOP TAKEAWAYS, from Andrew Desiderio and Connor O'Brien: "Four things Zelenskyy just told Congress that could impact Russia's war on Ukraine" WATCH: Zelenskyy makes virtual plea to Congress, in 180 seconds
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| THE REACTION … … On Capitol Hill:
- Senate Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL: "We're not doing nearly enough, quickly enough to help the Ukrainians. And I think comparing Zelenskyy to Biden is depressing. President Biden needs to step up his game right now, before it's too late." McConnell said he was against putting U.S. pilots in Ukraine to establish a no-fly zone, but supports "other ways to make the air dangerous for the Russians with all kinds of different weapons."
- Senate Majority Whip DICK DURBIN: "I've really got to trust the judgment of President Biden. He has to consider all the possibilities." Durbin also said he was "totally supportive" of additional air defense support and a "blank check" on sanctions.
- At least two Republican lawmakers endorsed the idea of a limited no-fly zone: (1) Sen. RICK SCOTT (R-Fla.) said that Biden needs to choose to "either give Ukraine access to the planes and anti-aircraft defense systems it needs to defend itself, or enforce a no-fly zone." (2) Rep. BRIAN FITZPATRICK (R-Pa.) called for a humanitarian no-fly zone and said this, which piqued our interest: "We can ground airplanes without ever firing a shot. Now I'm sure one of the factors is that they don't want to front that technology ... but the technology does exist, and we can do it."
- Sen. JONI ERNST (R-Iowa), a veteran of the Army Reserve, reacting to Zelenskyy's speech: "It makes me want to throw on my uniform, you know, and go help. … If Zelenskyy is asking for MiGs, let's send him MiGs. If he wants us to send a bunch of Ford F-150, send them a bunch of Fords. I don't care what he's asking for. We should say, 'You know what? We're going to help you with that.'"
- Sen. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-Conn.) said he supports sending planes to Ukraine: "Let's provide Ukrainians the tools they need to carry on the fight, defensively — there's no danger of Ukraine attacking Moscow. I think there's a clear distinction here that avoids escalation and at the same time enables the Ukrainians to have a fair fight on the ground."
- Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) reiterated his support for the assassination of Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN: "I think the world is better off without Putin — the sooner the better, and I don't care how we do it." He continued: "If JOHN MCCAIN were here he'd be saying the same thing I think. It's time for him to go."
… At the White House:
- In remarks early this afternoon, Biden talked up the administration's past aid to Ukraine while promising a new tranche of it:
- $1 billion to Ukraine this week: "I am once again using my presidential authority to activate additional security assistance to continue to help Ukraine fend off Russia's assault — an additional $800 million of assistance. That brings the total of new U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to $1 billion just this week."
- New anti-aircraft systems: "This new package on its own will provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine. It includes 800 anti-aircraft systems to make sure the Ukrainian military can continue to stop the planes and helicopters that have been attacking their people and to defend the Ukrainian airspace. And at the request of President Zelenskyy, we have identified and are helping Ukraine acquire additional longer-range anti-aircraft systems."
- Setting expectations: "Now, I want to be honest with you. This could be a long and difficult battle, but the American people will be steadfast in our support of the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin's immoral and unethical attacks on civilian populations."
- Asked what it will take for the U.S. to send the MiGs that Zelenskyy has asked for: "I'm not going to comment on that right now. I'm not going to comment on anything other than what I've told you today."
HAPPENING TODAY — There will be a classified briefing on Russia and Ukraine at 3:30 p.m. for Senate leadership and the chairs and ranking members of relevant committees, per a Senate aide. HAPPENING TONIGHT — Zelenskyy will sit for an exclusive interview with NBC's Lester Holt on "NBC Nightly News" at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. Preview clip of Zelenskyy discussing Biden's concern about triggering World War III UKRAINE LATEST: — "The Ukrainian armed forces have launched counterattacks against Russian troops outside the capital, Kyiv, and in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson, according to a senior Ukrainian military official," NYT's Michael Schwirtz reports. "The goal of the operation, which began on Tuesday night and was continuing on Wednesday, was to inflict mass casualties on the Russian military, rather than to win back territory, the official said." — Social media platforms' efforts to stifle Russia state propaganda appear to be working, write WaPo's Elizabeth Dwoskin, Jeremy Merrill and Gerrit De Vynck. — "Fox News correspondent BENJAMIN HALL, who was injured this week while covering the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine when the vehicle he was traveling in came under attack, is alert and in good spirits, the network announced on Wednesday," per Fox News. Good Wednesday afternoon.
| | | | A message from PhRMA: ICYMI: A majority of Americans reject so-called government "negotiation" once they learn it could restrict access and choice and chill the innovation of new treatments and cures. The survey also shows a majority find health care coverage costs unreasonable and a top priority health care issue for policymakers to address today. | | | ALL POLITICS SCOOP: ROMNEY GETS A CHALLENGER — One of DONALD TRUMP's staunch allies in the state of Utah is gearing up for a run in 2024. "Utah Attorney General SEAN REYES, who backed Donald Trump's efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, is preparing for a 2024 Senate run that could pit him against Sen. MITT ROMNEY in a GOP primary. Reyes, who has been elected statewide three times, in recent weeks has discussed the matter with key players in Utah politics and with allies of the former president, according to a person who is familiar with Reyes' plans. Reyes is likely to make an official announcement in May," Natalie Allison and Daniel Lippman report. DONOR DEARTH — As former Sen. DAVID PERDUE seeks to primary incumbent GOP Gov. BRIAN KEMP in Georgia, he's finding the cash dash more difficult than in his previous runs for office. "Perdue's top 30 individual contributors pumped in nearly $450,000 to his Senate campaigns in 2014 and 2020, according to campaign finance disclosures. But that same group and their immediate family members have steered just $26,200 to his current run for governor. Kemp, meanwhile, has raised $81,450 from these previous Perdue backers," AP's Jeff Amy and Will Weissert report in Atlanta. "Despite the backing of former President Donald Trump, Perdue is well behind Kemp in what is certain to be an expensive race, an Associated Press review of federal and state campaign finance records shows." FOR THE RECORD — MEHMET OZ's campaign manager this morning pushed back on a report that the former TV doctor would waive security clearances to keep dual citizenship with Turkey, saying that Oz never said such a statement. The tweet JUDICIARY SQUARE GOP LINE OF INQUIRY EMERGES — As senators prepare for KETANJI BROWN JACKSON's Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Republicans are showing the No. 1 issue that they plan to grill the judge over: "her work representing detainees at the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay," NYT's Carl Hulse writes . "The attacks reflect what has emerged in recent months as a Republican effort to vilify and discredit Biden administration judicial nominees who have served as public defenders, by suggesting that they acted inappropriately in representing clients accused of serious, sometimes vicious crimes."
| | | | WIN A VIP TICKET TO THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH! POLITICO and SHOWTIME are teaming up for an evening of cocktails and conversation featuring the POLITICO Playbook team and Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri from "The Circus" on Showtime in Washington, D.C. Enter for a chance to win a ticket to join fellow Playbookers and newsmakers at this exclusive, VIP event by Friday, March 18th. Winners will be notified on that date (travel and accommodations not provided, this is a widely attended event pursuant to House & Senate ethics rules). ENTER HERE. | | | | | CONGRESS TRUCKERS GET A RARE TOUR — Sen. ROGER MARSHALL (R-Kan.) gave a Capitol tour to truckers in the so-called "People's Convoy" last week, despite the fact that the building remains mostly closed to the public for now. "A senior congressional aide alerted the Department of Justice about the truckers' presence out of concern that the guided tour could help the protesters plan an entry into the building," Tara Palmeri reports . But the Senate since December has allowed for small public tours in a limited area, with a limit of two tours per week — an exception with which Marshall's office said the trucker tour complied. POLICY CORNER IMMIGRATION FILES — Afghan refugees who found their way to the U.S. "will be allowed to stay for at least 18 months under temporary protected status, the government said Wednesday, a move that will help some of the thousands who arrived following the chaotic American withdrawal from their country," AP's Ben Fox reports. THE ECONOMY INFLATION NATION — Here's how inflation is affecting consumers in real life: "After beginning the year in a buying mood, Americans slowed their spending in February on gadgets, home furnishings and other discretionary items as higher prices for food, gasoline, and shelter are taking a bigger bite out of their wallet," writes AP's Anne D'Innocenzio . "Retail sales increased 0.3% after registering a revised 4.9% jump from December to January, fueled by wage gains, solid hiring and more money in banking accounts, according to the Commerce Department. January's increase was the biggest jump in spending since last March, when American households received a final federal stimulus check of $1,400."
| | | | DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | BEYOND THE BELTWAY SLOWING SUPPLY CHAIN — The latest supply chain headache could be on its way this week: "A major Canadian railway worker strike set for Wednesday could cut off a key trade corridor with the U.S. and unleash a fresh wave of price spikes for crude oil and food products already strained by Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Meredith Lee writes . The potential strike "puts Biden, a vocal supporter of labor unions, in a tricky spot. Administration officials have been careful not to wade too far into the dispute, wary of appearing to pressure the potential strikers, according to two White House officials." GAS 'EM UP — Absent federal action to slash the gas tax, governors in red and blue states are going ahead and doing it themselves, Marie French and Colby Bermel write. "The rush to curtail gas taxes is inviting a multitude of questions. But critics say states might just be hurting themselves and helping oil companies and gas retailers, whose pump prices are often opaque. They warn it may be hard to tell whether tax cuts actually reach drivers in the end. And gas taxes pay for a host of transportation improvements, so suspending gas taxes without making up the dollars elsewhere could shortchange projects that are already strapped for money." AMERICA AND THE WORLD TRADING PLACES — The U.S. and U.K. have kickstarted talks to "deepen trade and investment ties, their first broad effort to promote bilateral trade since negotiations to forge a free-trade agreement between the two nations were suspended last year," WSJ's Yuka Hayashi writes. "The discussions are aimed at closer collaboration on a range of issues including easing supply-chain congestion, decarbonizing their economies, promoting digital trade, supporting domestic workforces and labor rights, U.S. and U.K. officials said." PLAYBOOKERS OUT AND ABOUT — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Ted Leonsis joined Tracy's Kids founder Matt Gerson at the Capitals game Tuesday night at Capital One Arena to honor the charity's work to support children with cancer emotionally. SPOTTED: Curtis LeGeyt, Charlyn Stanberry, Mitch Rose, Kevin Varney, Dan Curran, Reinhard Wieck, Jamie Gillespie, Teresa Gaines, Matt Gelman, Michele Ballantyne, Regan Smith, Ben Abrams, Susan Fox, Mike Huppe and Linda Bloss-Baum. — The Motion Picture Association gave out its inaugural MPA Awards on Tuesday night at the association's D.C. headquarters. The honorees were Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, each of whom received the MPA Industry Champion Award; Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who received the MPA Lifetime Achievement Award; and Nikyatu Jusu, who received the MPA Creator Award. SPOTTED: Charlie Rivkin, Chris Dodd, Dan Glickman, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Monaco Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle,Neda Ulaby, Scott Simon, Peter Alexander,Don Baer,Melissa Moss, Susan Fox, Andrew Reinsdorf, Liz Hart, Sena Fitzmaurice, Gail MacKinnon, Patrick Kilcur, Karyn Temple, Urmila Venugopalan, Emily Lenzner,John Mercurio and Kathy Banuelos. TRANSITION — Bill Bode is now director of government affairs at Gilead Sciences. He previously was a senior policy adviser to Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
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