Sunday shows – Russia standoff over Ukraine dominates

Concerns over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine dominated the Sunday morning political talk shows.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared on multiple shows, vowing a “severe” and “unified” response from the U.S. and its European allies to any Russian aggression. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was also booked on multiple shows, and discussed the future of the Democrats’ massive social spending and climate legislation. 

Read The Hill’s complete coverage below.

Blinken promises ‘severe’ response if ‘single additional Russian force’ enters Ukraine By MYCHAEL SCHNELL   Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday warned of a “swift” and “severe” united response from the U.S. and European allies if a “single additional Russian force” enters Ukraine. Read the full story here

Blinken ‘very convinced’ on ‘united response’ against Russia By JOSEPH CHOI   Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday signaled that the U.S. and its European allies were prepared to make a “united response” against any further Russian aggression Ukraine, following his diplomatic trip through Europe last week. Read the full story here

GOP senator says US should impose sanctions on Russia By MYCHAEL SCHNELL   Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on Sunday said the U.S. should impose sanctions on Russia “now,” as tensions grow amid reports of a potential invasion of Ukraine by Moscow. Read the full story here

Coons opposes sending US troops to Ukraine: ‘We would simply be sacrificing them’ By CAROLINE VAKIL   Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said in an interview that he did not support deploying U.S. troops into Ukraine in the event that Russia invades the former Soviet nation, saying “we would simply be sacrificing them.” Read the full story here

Wicker: Biden comments on Ukraine caused ‘distress’ for both parties By CAROLINE VAKIL   Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said that “there was distress among Democrats and Republicans” after President Biden suggested during a lengthy press conference this week that Russia would face smaller repercussions for a “minor incursion” in Ukraine.   Read the full story here

Sanders says Republicans are ‘laughing all the way to Election Day’ By MYCHAEL SCHNELL   Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday said Senate Republicans are “laughing all the way to Election Day” because “they have not had to cast one bloody vote” on the Democrats’ roughly $1.2 trillion social spending and climate package, which is stalled in the upper chamber. Read the full story here

Sanders says Biden can’t count on him to support ‘almost any’ spending package compromise By MYCHAEL SCHNELL   Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday said President Biden cannot count on him to support “almost any” compromise social spending and climate package the Senate cobbles together, emphasizing that he must review the details of a proposal before deciding if he can vote for it. Read the full story here

Ron Johnson: ‘Americans are not looking for election reform’ By BRAD DRESS   Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Sunday accused Democrats of trying to radically change the country through voting legislation and of being “willing to destroy the institution of the Senate to pass a bill that’s a non-solution looking for a problem.” Read the full story here

Fauci says he’s confident most states reach peak of omicron in mid-February By DOMINICK MASTRANGELO   Anthony Fauci said Sunday he is confident that most states in the U.S. will reach a peak in omicron infections over the next several weeks.  Read the full story here

Majority in new poll says US headed in wrong direction By RACHEL SCULLY   A majority of American adults says the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction in the latest NBC News poll, with many of the nation’s top politicians and parties becoming unpopular only 10 months away from midterms.  Read the full story here