Senate to get Ukraine, Russia briefing on Thursday

Biden administration officials will brief the Senate on Thursday on Ukraine and escalating tensions with Russia, which has amassed troops along the border.

The briefing with senior administration officials, confirmed to The Hill by a Senate aide, comes amid growing concerns over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow estimated to have 100,000 troops near the border.

Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerThe Hill’s Morning Report – Democrats sense opportunity with SCOTUS vacancy Schumer finds unity moment in Supreme Court fight Breyer retirement throws curveball into midterms MORE (D-N.Y.) had previously requested the all-member briefing for this week, when the Senate will return from a one-week recess.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiThe promise of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress Pelosi sidesteps progressives’ March 1 deadline for Build Back Better Let’s ‘reimagine’ political corruption MORE (D-Calif.) has also requested a briefing for all House members. A spokesman didn’t immediately respond to questions about the timing of a potential House briefing.

In addition to briefings for lawmakers, the administration is also expected to brief leadership and committee staff this week, and administration officials have also spoken one-on-one with lawmakers. 

Administration officials and senators have warned of a potential incursion into Ukraine, but also said publicly that they don’t believe Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinUK’s Johnson says he’s ordered armed forces to prepare for deployment next week amid Ukraine tensions US officials detect Russian blood supplies near Ukrainian border Kirby: ‘It’s really unclear’ what Putin’s thinking amid rising Russia-Ukraine tensions MORE has made a final decision.

Senators are nearing a deal that would slap immediate sanctions on Russia for cyberattacks and efforts to undermine the Ukrainian government, while imposing further financial penalties if Russia invades Ukraine in an effort to deter Putin. A Senate agreement is also expected to bolster lethal aid to Ukraine.

“I would describe it as we are on the 1-yard line, and hopefully we will be able to conclude successfully,” Sen. Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezSunday shows preview: Justice Breyer announces retirement from Supreme Court Overnight Defense & National Security — Pentagon tells Russia to stand down DC’s Union Station defaced with swastika drawings MORE (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said during a joint interview with Sen. Jim RischJames Elroy RischUkraine sent letter to senators seeking specific Russia sanctions, military assistance Jewish groups sound the alarm as anti-vaccine mandate movement invokes Holocaust  Senators huddle on Russia sanctions as tensions escalate MORE (R-Idaho), the panel’s top Republican, on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

President BidenJoe BidenRussia relocates naval exercises due to Irish concerns UK’s Johnson says he’s ordered armed forces to prepare for deployment next week amid Ukraine tensions Youngkin sparks Democratic backlash in Virginia MORE is also planning to send U.S. forces to Eastern Europe, saying on Friday that it would happen in the “near term.”

The Pentagon has put 8,500 troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to NATO countries in Eastern Europe. Most of the troops are expected to join a NATO rapid response force in Eastern Europe.