. this is cnn breaking news. >> hello, and a warm welcome to our viewers here in the united states and around the world. i'm paula newton live in atlanta, and we begin with an unannounced visit to ukraine's capitol by a group of u.s. lawmakers led by speaker of the house nancy pelosi. this post shows a delegation

meeting with president zelenskyy in kyiv. pelosi says it is a message of solidarity, our commitment is to be there with you until the fight is done. to the south meantime, a glimmer of hope is emerging for those trapped in the city of mariupol. after weeks under siege and numerous failed evacuation attempts, around 20 civilians it manage to leave saturday. russia did release a statement saying 46 people had left residential buildings adjacent to the steel plant. whether that's in addition to the 20 or someone is miscounting, we, at cnn here, can not confirm either way. that's just a tiny fraction of the thousand still stuck in that city. meantime, missiles hammered southern and eastern ukraine. in odesa, witnesses reported hearing several explosions, and

that's significant. the runway of yoe desa's airport had been destroyed. >> translator: we are restoring electricity supply, communications, water supply and gas supply. we doing everything to return normal medicine, educational services, access to financial institutions. we are restoring roads. of course there is still a lot of work ahead. the occupiers are still on our land and still do not recognize the apparent failure of their so-called operation. >> more now on that unannounced visit to kyiv, house speaker nancy pelosi is the highest-ranking u.s. official to travel to ukraine since the war began. >> it has been about one week now since we saw a senior u

delegation coming to kyiv, at that point it was secretary of state blinken. this time it is a congressional delegation led by nancy pelosi. she was joined by senior moments of congress. and we found out about this visit from a tweet from president zelenskyy. he tweeted out a video of the meeting. can you see speaker of the house pelosi joined with other members of congress. they had meetings to the in which zelenskyy was quite effusive in his praise for the united states, thanking the united states for its continued support for ukraine in its fight against russia, calling the united states a quote, leader in that support, meanwhile, we heard from speaker pelosi m that meeting. here's a little bit of what she had to say. >> we believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight to freedom, and

that your fight is a fight for everyone, and so our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done. >> so really, that's just spe speaker pelosi continuing the show of support from president biden. it was a few days ago president biden requested $33 billion from congress in additional support for ukraine. it would be a mixture of humanitarian aid as well as heavy weaponry that ukraine desperately needs and has been asking for for a long time in its fight against russia. of course pelosi will play a major role in shepherding that request through congress, turning it into a package that eventually president biden would sign and that would send that weaponry to ukraine and make president zelenskyy extremely happy. interestingly, this trip was a little different than the last senior delegation to the united states in that it followed the

security norms. generally what happens is the meetings are announced after they take place. that is what happened here. that didn't happen last week when the u.s. secretary of state and sendefense came. speaker of the house pelosi said her trip will continue in poland where she's expected to meet with that country's president. >> thank you for that. and we are awaiting a press conference from nancy pelosi shortly. we'll bring it to you as soon as we have it. right now we want to bring you up to date on finland and swed sweden, who are seriously considering the option of joining nato, which would infuriate russia. finland alone would increase the border russia shares with nato

by 1300 kilometers and pose a serious threat to moscow. on friday, leaders from finland and sweden held a joint news conference saying they have been talking with each other as they weigh their options on whether to join the alliance. listen. >> finland and sweden have been in close contact during the whole crisis and will continue to discuss and keep its others informed. sw sweden is our most important bilateral partner. considering the process going on, it would be important that sweden and finland could make the same decision in the same time frame. >> for more on this i want to bring in our guest from stockholm, thank you for being with us as you have a very strong view on this right now. you're saying adding finland and

sweden to nato will transform european security. and you know what i'm going to say. that it was precisely nato expansion that has antagonized russia. and before you discount that, what do you think this sets up for decades to come. it sets up not just a cold war in europe but a very hot one. >> that is all going to depend on mr. putin. the decision you can expect from finland and sweden in the next few weeks is clearly a consequence of the fact that he's decided to invade a sovereign european country. that means every country has to consider its security. that includes defense spending and for finland and sweden, joining nato. it is only together that we can stand up to this sort of bullying and invasions that seems to be part of the putin

policies. consequences, well, we're going to have a fairly difficult security environment, to put it mildly n europe until mr. putin, until there is significant change in russian policy. as long as we have leadership in the kremlin that uses military power to expand its reach and to bully and control other countries in the vicinity, the environment in europe is going to be very difficult. we can handle that better by working together within the european union, needless to say, which is going to be more important as a security partner but also with the military alliance and with the united states through nato. ab >> but you do allow, after centuries of history and the last few decades, finland has found a way to be up against russia there but not in fact antagonize the situation. this would be a whole new ball game. >> yeah, but we're, we have no intention of provoking russia in

any sort of way. if you look at norway, which has a smaller border with russia, allegedly, i acknowledge that, but very close to very sensitive russian military installations. the largest concentration of nuclear power in the north. norway has managed to have a policy of assurance and deterrence against russia, and i think you will find that finland and sweden will try to do that, have that combination, at the same time, swedish membership in this particular case,la will g a backbone to the baltic states which i think will be a contribution to the stability of europe as a whole. >> and i think a watershed that you had finland and sweden say they would do this together. so much has changed in little more than two months. i also want to talk to you about the marked policy shift from the united states. defense secretary austin saying

in ukraine that the goal now seems to be to weaken russia's military capacity. i ask you, could this further divide the u.s. and europe? there are some differences. france and germany already said last week that they're not comfortable with this kind of posture coming from the united states. >> well, to weaken russia is an obvious goal at the moment. a tactic is one. that's why weapons are being sent to russia and sanctions have been imposed. but the ultimate goals are the ones that lay down a resolution for example by the u.n. assembly, statements by the european union. russia must leave european territory. that is the obvious goal of the policies that are being pursued of the then there are a number of different sub components of that. and that include necessarily weakening the potential of russia to continue its

aggression. th t that's fairly obvious. >> i know nato has already gained this. but as russia continues to say, if the u.s. and allies hearm ukraine, they say that's fair game. what happens if russia actually does strike those supply lines, and i'm even talking about a supply line within nato borders ? yeah, as you indicate they are already striking supply lines in ukraine. that's party of ongoing war. whether they will take the further step of making attacks on nato territory, that would be a very grave step indeed, and

what they will do, i don't know. but it would take the conflict to a whole different level. we can only hope there will be such changes in policy wise and otherwise in moscow that they understand that they are losing and on a dangerous trek. i don't see that happening at the moment, but we must keep insisting on that. back to what the united states and everyone else has called for. leave ukrainian territory and have peace between russia and ukraine. >> and it's clear that you feel that should be done from a position of strength, which you think means nato expansion. but to go back to my earlier point, you are saying that even if this escalates and perhaps nato borders come into play, you still think it's worth the risk to stand up to russia right now. >> absolutely. we have no choice. if you understand f, if you lie

down, and we've seen through the brutal pictures coming out, what that means. that is the very clear result. and that is why you see this significant change. >> a risk not just of cold war but continued hot war. thank you so much. we appreciate your insight >> thank you. thousnow, as we mentioned, russian missiles have struck odesa. cnn's nick paton walsh has the latest for us. >> reporter: strikes on odesa have been intermittent. and the one we've just seen, hitting the airport, apparently

its runway, and it's unclear where they originated from. there have been images of russia putting submarines and launching missiles in the black sea. we've seen russian ships off the coast. one hit recently. a lot of russian activity to pressure yodesa. a question many will be asking themselves, is this the prelude for a wider assault on that city or a bit to pressure it and keep military officials guessing as to what russia's goal along that black seacoast is. they did say that the move toward the black seacoast would be part of a wider bid to control that area, but they've been trying that for months, and they failed. they failed to get past nikolai

ever. is it a dissflax are they coming for here? the economic hub, the hometown of president zelenskyy of ukraine or are they headed east to join up with the offensive that russia's been pushing hard there as well. you are hearing air raid sirens behind me, not uncommon. no explosions tonight, but a broader sense of concern here in this quiet but well-populated central city that something is brewing to their south. we're seeing villages change hands and ukraine pushing back at times, but certainly concerns that russia's goals are in this direction. >> our thanks to nick paton walsh there. we mention the earlier that there are still hundreds of people inside that mariupol complex. about 40 managed to leave. a report said 46 had left.

it's not clear what the different numbers may represent. but either way, it's just a tiny fraction of the thousands still stuck in that city. earlier, my colleague, isa suarez spoke with a ukrainian lawmaker and asked what's in store next for those still inside that battered city. >> i'm very, very pessimistic. you know, mariupol is the golden ballot in russian propaganda. 80 years they decide mariupol is a nazi nest. and they decided to destroy this nazi nest. and all the time they said we are opening military corridor, all this time is lie.

the general secretary of united nations came to russia and then came to ukraine. and the main reason was mariupol, and the situation was in mariupol. they, yes. i am pessimistic about all the people in mariupol, more than 1,000 civilians and our army. >> yes, we're talking about what we've heard about inside the steel plant where the ukrainian commander tells us 20 civilians have been evacuated. so you're saying that you are pessimistic of further evacuations for the remainder of the civilians inside that steel plant, is that correct? >> yes. >> do you know whether they're going to try again today? >> we are trying day by day. we are trying to have a deal with russians every day, every day.

and doesn't work. they don't want. >> and what does that mean? we've talked about the civilians. do you have details about what this deal entails? do we know what will happen to the soldiers, including the wounded soldiers? are they even part of this evacuation plan, dimitri? >> of course we want to locate all the civilians. that's understandable. mo most of the civilians are families of the soldiers. and after bucha, we know what will happen to them if they are captured. these women, these children, they will be raped, and they will be killed. >> okay, we will continue to cover our breaking news. we are awaiting a press conference by house speaker nancy pelosi from europe, from poland, just after her visit to kyiviv. stay with us, we'll have more after ththe break. support your immune sysystem

with a potent blend of nutrients and emerge your best every day with emergen-c here's to real flavors... real meals. real good. all of knorr's high quality pasta and rice sides are now made with no artificial flavors or preservatives. knorr. taste for good.

and we want to bring you straight to poland. you see there speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, will tell us about her trip to kyiv. let's listen in. [ inaudible ] >> mr. mcgovern, who is a champion in the congress. chair of the foreign affairs committee, adam schiff. chair of foreign operations sub

committee, congressman bill keating, as well as members of the armed services committee, intelligence and armed services and the veterans who have brought that experience -- our delegation has the solemn opportunity, the great honor to meet with the president of ukraine. our discussion centered around the subject at hand as would you suspect. humanitarian assistance, economic assistance. we are proud today to have a message of unity from the congress of the united states, a message of appreciation from the american people for his

leadership and admiration for the people of ukraine for their courage. and to continue their engagement in poland, we will be thanking the polish government for their hospitality and more than that, to refugees. what more needs to be done. our conversations with president zelenskyy and our colleagues will address. it is with great sorrow that we come here, but with great pride. we leave with a further understanding of what needs to be done with a deeper appreciation of inspiration from those who are in this fight and, again, a resolve to move quickly to pass legislation that president biden put forth.

we're very proud of our president, his experience as a member of foreign affairs committee for a number of years and the vice president of the united states and now president. he knows the challenges in the fight against democracy versus oppression and autocracy, and he has unified, he's been a force for unity as well as in the united states, and with that -- >> thank you very much. i'm really honored to be here in poland. i have polish on my mother's side. my wife's the ukrainian on her mother's side. it was a special visit. and i just want to begin by saying that president zelenskyy is an inspiration. and so are the people of ukraine, and all of us stand with them. i want to thank speaker pelosi

for being the first official co-del to kyiv, and i'm dpgratel for her commitment to rights and freedom. putin's war is no longer only a war against the people of ukraine. it is also a war against the world's most vulnerable. and ukraine, as we all know is basically the bread basket ever the world, with wheat, maize, sunflower oil, to countries all around the world, especially to africa and in the middle east. it provides important food to relief organizations. united nations world food program. and all of these organizations are dedicated to trying to prevent an increase in hunger and yet this war is exacerbating

hunger all around the world. the food supplies, great pain in ukraine and around the world. food prices have risen. energy prices have risen and that in turn means hunk hunger is on the rise. what kind of person does that? we talked about assistance directly to ukraine so that he has the ability and flexibility to provide what is necessary to people in need. whether they are internally displaced, whether they are in the most conflicted areas. whether some families are in ukraine and some in poland, whatever the situation, make being sure they have the flexibility is important, the message that we all agree w ith. we also continue to fund the international aid programs. and we want to find a way to

help ukrainians establish a humanitarian way too ship food by sea to help the poorest people in the world, so they don't go hungry. our friend, chef andreas all the time says food is love. it's not a weapon in war. it is a fundamental right to every person often the planet. let me just finish with this. there is good and evil in the world. and we have seen the goodness in ukrainian people. we saw the goodness in president zelenskyy and in so many others and here in poland, helping the refugees and helping provide peace of mind to people who are

kne fleeing violence. we've seen the good in our own country, with school children raising money to help make sure people are fed. but we've also seen evil, putin's war is evil, war crimes. the massacre of people. that is evil. young school children raising money to help make sure people are fed who are fleeing the violence, but we've also seen evil, putin's war is evil. war crimes. targeting, the massacre of people, that seefl. and at the end of the day, we all believe we should overcome evil. so i'm honored to be on this trip. and, again, i want to thank speaker pelosi for her courage in leading it. i'll turn it over to

chairman -- >> i also -- speaker. this is my second trip to poland within a month. and it is an indication of the -- that the united states congress, the unity that we bring, that we're going to stand by president zelenskyy and the ukrainian people. this is a time when history is recording what we do and what we don't. this is a time when had we stand up for democracy, or we allow ah t h

and meeting with president zelenskyy, he gave a message of thank to president biden, for the unity. and join those or ask those who have not yet come together to join us. unity means sanctions that will show the world that we stand by right. as opposed to evil. it's not going to be easy, but if we stand in that unified manner, as we have been, good will overcome evil.

a number of bills, particularly -- assistance and lend and lease. we've also indicated that the house -- we've dedicated seven bills, moving forward to try to get them in front of the president to sign, and we will continue to focus on efforts to demonstrate our unity with the people of ukraine, our unity within the united states congress and our allies.

and i'd like to bring forward -- intelligence committee, adam schiff. >> thank you, and thank you, madam speaker for organizing this. it's an honor to be with you. i, last night we had a three-hour meeting with president zelenskyy and his leadership team. we discussed sanctions and how we could strengthen them, we discussed weapons and how we could increase the supply.

ha this is a struggle of freedom against tyranny. the whole world lashas an inter in the outcome of theis war. we are particularly proud of the intelligence. good intelligence prior to the war and stripping away the pretext in this war by russia. that intelligence cooperation goes on. we are determined to make sure that we provide good information to ukraine to allow it to defend itself. we are in awe of what ukraine has been able to achieve and the courage of the ukrainian people. and we express our gratitude to

president zelenskyy. it is really extraordinary. we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with ukraine, and we will until victory is won. now it's my great pleasure to introduce -- of colorado. >> thank you, chairman schiff. thank you speaker pelosi, and as a combat veteran myself, with three areas of focus, weapons, weapons, and weapons. we have to make sure the ukrainians have what they need to win. what we have seen in the last two months is their ferocity, their intense pride, their ability to fight and their ability to win. if they have the stupport to do so. whee an we had an exchange of ideas with president zelenskyy, how we can do that, how to get the fuel to

them, how do we change the nature of our support and give them new and more advanced weaponry to meet the next phase of this battle, and how do we train ukrainian military and soldiers to use those new systems while they are also simultaneously fighting. and we had a great exclahange o ideas, and i look forward to returning to washington to work with my colleagues. i it is a historic request that we're going to work hard to pass. and it sends a very simple message. we not interested in stalemates. we are no t interested in going back to the status quo. the united states of america is in this to win it. in ukraine until vick stwroin. thank you. and now my pleasure to introduce

my colleague barbara lee, from california. >> thank you very much. let me first thank our speaker for her tremendous leadership and for her courage on behalf of the american people. as you heard we stand with the ukrainian people until freedom is won, until this war is won, and, in fact, as chair of the appropriations sub committee on state and foreign operations, we want to make sure that we send a signal to the ukrainian people that our u.s. tax dollars are going to ensure that democracy prevails and that ukraine prevails, the people of ukraine. and in that context, we now, as you've heard, are looking forward to moving with the $33 billion request which the president has put forward to support our military and security assistance for the ukrainian people, for humanitarian assistance for the

united nations agencies, for our treasury department, all of those agencies within our federal government that are moving forward to support the ukrainian people in this very devastating bloodbath of putin. this is a moment in history, it's a defining moment, quite frankly, whether or not the world goes forward with our democratic principles or moves backwards, which is what putin is attempting to do, but that's not going to happen. we're going to do everything we can do within our power and fortunately, serving as the chair of the sub committee, we have an opportunity to really drill down thousanow with our ps in ukraine and poland to make sure that the resources are targeted to make sure the light does outshine the darkness. i want to thank speaker pelosi, all our members and thank the

ukrainian people for showing us the strength and resilience and what it means to fight, to fight, to fight to make sure that freedom and democracy prevails. we're going to stay there until as everyone has said and we have witnessed freedom is won. thank you, madam speaker. next, let me bring forward now, mr. keyton from massachusetts, who serves on the house foreign affairs committee. >> and armed services. >> i just want to thank speaker pelosi for her leadership. and once again, making sure the world knows as well as ukraine knows, and poland knows where the united states stands and importantly, where they'll continue to stand. yesterday, this side of the border, we met with leaders with incredible courage. these are leaders who did not have military uniforms on. they were humanitarian leaders,

international leaders and leaders from ukraine who every single day are risking their lives to help other people. they detailed to us the horrors of the hidden and silent casualties that are actually numbering in the several millions right now in the greatest migration since world war ii. their stories were appalling. about the brutality they were facing, the ukrainian people were facing. they told us about the war crimes and how important it is that they have the ability and we have the ability in the u.s. to document these war crimes. they told us about 50 years, girls, 15 to 2 4 years old systematically being raped by russian soldiers. they told us about a critical area that doesn't get much attention is now becoming a crisis, and that's human trafficking, particularly of women, and how they're working to try to prevent and how that

is being exploited by other people as well. and as we're here in poland, i want to tell you, it's not only the u.s. that's here standing strong but the example and the work of the polish government and the polish people in this regard. 3 million people have come over, just in several weeks. the door, the households are open to them. over 180,000 students are now in school here already. these are students that are traumatized. and, as we sat with these people that, groups like ukraine, 5:00 a.m., other hgroups that are risking their lives every day, they impressed upon us with enormous acumen, their knowledge

of the military, and that they would be meaningless unless we give them the support they need militarily and how important it was that we pass the $33 billion plan that was forwarded by president biden. and we know that everyone standing here, in congress on both sides of the aisle are ready to do just that. so i want to salute the polish contribution. i want to salute those brave people that we never see. that never don uniform and risk their lives every day for their work. this is an unprecedented moment. and a moment we're showing great strength and humanity and values. and the values of the west will win this. and i just want to thank our delegation speaker for once again, as we have since this started february 24th, making sure the world doesn't question

for a second the solidarity of the trans atlantic bond that extends beyond nato and will continue into the future. thank you all. >> thank you, my colleagues. we're pleased to take a few questions if you want to begin. you want me to make this pronunciation correct? let me try. cadeta ladorsia. >> what's come to your attention the most? >> what's come to my attention the most. one thing we did know is the courage of the ukrainian people was something so remarkable. i would say that our conversation with president zelenskyy, no surprise.

but not only his courage and his leadership, but his detailed knowledge of every subject we brought up into how, the best way was to get food as, as a security measure, as an economic measure for the country, as a strategic measure as well was really, his knowledge and his knowledge of detail was dazzling, as was it came to weapons, i think you would agree. he was conversant back and forth, and mr. crowe, jason crowe, a member himself of the intelligence and armed services had very specific questions, and we made great progress because of that. when it came to sanctions, which is mr. -- committee largely, he understood the refinement.

i don't want to say that we were surprised that he understood it, it was dazzling to go from one subject to the next and including intelligence, which is a very important part of our discussion and how, and how we go forward. so it was a remarkable master class of leadership on the part of president zelenskyy, and that's most recent. we look forward to continuing our conversations in poland and in gratitude to the polish people and government for their more than hospitality to the ukrainian people. coming into poland. okay. here we go. i better take these things off, okay, myra. >> so i have a lot of questions. but -- >> we don't have a lot of time. [ laughter ] >> i mean, we have a lot of other questions. >> do you have any timeline along the $300 billion.

>> $33 billion. >> how are you going to deal with cooperation with the european union, specifically on sanctions. do you think the -- and what the united states is ready to do to help europeans, and third -- is that okay with the rest of you? >> we're just going to have a certain number of questions. >> -- specifically of russia using chemical and nuclear weapons. what do you think, if that would happen, what united states and what nato supposed to do. >> which is your preferred question? let me start with the first one. it isn't $300 billion, it's $33 billion, which is an enormous amount of money. we very proud of the

$13.6 billion that we have sent, and we're down to the last drop of that. congress is a leader, we are already writing the bill for the $33 billion for weapons, for security, for humanitarian assistance and for economic assistance. we are very proud that that is on top of what we have already done in terms of sanctions with stopping the purchase of russian oil, stopping the normal trade relations with russia, as mr. meeks mentioned. lend-lease, which we passed this week, which the president will sign shortly, and the, i call season freeze, season freeze of assets when they thaw they'll be used to rebuild ukraine after victory. the, let's someone else ask about unity and we'll come back to it as well as any threats of

a bully like putin in terms of use of unconventional weaponry. with that, we'll go to josh eininger. that's so easy. >> vei have a two-part question but there's somewhat related to what you just heard. the sausage-making piece of this, there seems to be bipartisan agreement that's needed, but it's already getting kind of wrapped up in various debate other the, you know, covid relief and immigration, and how do you make sure it doesn't get bogged down in this typical inertia. and the other question has to do with rhetoric. and we're now sending far more in the way of weapons.

secretary austin's comments the other day about dee grading the russian military. and where is the line? i guess we don't know. how far is the u.s. prepared to or can go to prevent provoking something far worse? >> when you say provoking something far worse, you mean -- >> a response from russia. >> i don't, let me just speak for myself on the second part. do not be bullied by bullies. if they making threats, can you not back down. that's my view of it. that, you, we're there for the fight. and you cannot, you cannot fold to a bully. yeah, i mean, this is called legislating that you have other proposals that may want to get on the engine that they know is leaving the station. and we do have to pass our covid legislation, and we will do all of it, whether we do it together, which is my preference, we'll see, but it will not bog down the process.

barbara, did you want to speak to that? >> well, we're in the process, as the speaker said, of actually writing the bill right now. and the negotiations will take place, well, are taking place as we speak. but i think what's important is to recognize as the president has put forward the 33 billion, and so much of that desperately needed. now we intend to out of that look at a little over 1.5 billion a month to help with the shortfall. that the ukrainian government is faced with. and so there are many components of this bill that require us to move very quickly as the speaker said. we're negotiating, and that's how democracy works in america. so we don't know the outcome, but we certainly know we're going to stand with the ukrainian people. >> and soon. >> and soon. >> any other comments on bullies? >> on that subject of bullies, your question about potential escalation, let's not forget

here, russia invaded ukraine. ukraine is defending itself. and russia seems to be saying, if the united states, for if tht of the world dares defend ukraine the situation will escalate. we're going to defend ukraine, and there is a great deal obviously at stake for the ukrainian people, but there's a great deal at stake for everyone. if putin can succeed in invading his neighbors and get away with it, what is it that will stop at ukraine. he has illustrated designers with georgia, moldova, perhaps with the baltics and elsewhere, here in poland obviously there are the most pair amount concerns, and so this is first and foremost about ukraine but it is not only about ukraine. it is about a dictator in the kremlin, making war like it is world war ii all over again, with a massive invasion of his neighbor, and he must be

stopped. and we're prepared to provide ukraine with all necessary to stop and end this war. >> he asked a question about whether or not what we're saying here is provocative. the reality is, putin has provoked all the things that we are talking about here today. as adam schiff pointed out, he's the one who illegally and in an unprovoked way, invaded ukraine, and i think the better question is whether the world will hold him to account. because he has crossed many lines. he has committed war crimes. he has targeted maternity hospitals. he has engaged in mass killings, which we have now documented. and the united states and other countries around the world need to be supportive of preserving that evidence. and the question that should also be asked is whether the world will hold him to account for his war crimes.

because, if we don't, the likelihood of him or someone else doing the same thing increases. and so, so we want this war to end. we want the killing to stop. and, again, the implications of this war are not just about what's happening to the people of ukraine, as i pointed out, it's what's happening to the people of the world. i mean, he is exacerbating a hunger crisis on this planet. we all should be deeply concerned about that. and so, you know, we need to hold him accountable, once this is over with, you know, i support the international criminal court holding him accountable. we obviously support them, but he's the one who provoked this. this is putin's war. and what we are doing is we a standing up to a bully. >> and that's where the unitile

peeks in. what putin did not count on is us being involved. and he's seeing unity now like he never dreamt would happen. he thought khouwhe could divide. he hasn't been able to do that. has propaganda all around the world with misinformation with the goal to divide us. it has not happened, and it will not happen. so when we talk about sanctions, and yes, we're going to increase some and bring it together, not just one nation, but all of us collectively, and we will review, and that's what we talked about also, what thus far has been successful, and what we need to do to put more pressure on. so nothing is going to decrease. everything is going to increase. pressure from the outside. pressure from the inside. there is nowhere for him to go. we're going to continue until he, putin, surrenders.

>> week spoke about this with the president and others, addressed the question about the unity of the nato countries and what happens if putin tries to do something unconventional in terms of weapons. >> well, i think, madam speaker, you said it all. if he does anything in regards to unconventional weapons, dealing with anything like chemical weapons. or any kind of strategical nukes, all bets are off. we're not going to back down to a bully, sometimes bullies keep talking. but if they cross, he knows he's going to have to face the consequences. he needs to know that. there is no backsliding or backing up. that's not going to divide us. it will only bring us closer together, to make sure that we repudiate him and stop his aggression. >> if i could just mention, our

allies, european union is in the process of, what i term the mother of all sanctions. they are in the process of blocking russian imports of gas and oil, the most crippling thing that russia could ever see, and they're doing it in methodical way so that the price doesn't spike and putin doesn't profit in the interim. so that shouldn't be criticized. that's just common sense. that's great sacrifice by our allies on so many other things. it affects their lives, what they're doing every day. we're doing the same in the u.s. so we're as strong as we could ever be, i think, at any time, historically, when we have two countries that never joined world war ii engaging on the effort themselves in switzerland and sweden. and we have two nations that might choose on their own accord to join nato very shortly. >> the question is

from -- martin krasny. >> -- u.s. soldier -- could be established in eastern poland. >> yeah, so, before the invasion there was about 80,000 u.s. military personnel stationed throughout europe on a permanent and rotational basis. we have plussed that up to about 105,000. we have surged in an additional 25,000 forces. and what we've seen from nato is we've gone from four battle groups to now eight battle groups, so a very firm commitment by nato to increase the presence. what we're going to have to do back in washington is figure out what does that enduring presence look like, both in terms of the

overall troop number but also the distribution of those numbers. >> okay, we were just listening in to a press conference in ploebd with house speaker nancy pleaser pleaser -- nancy pelosi. she said you do not, are you not bullied by bullies. if they are making threats and her words, you cannot fold to a bully. of note as well, those u.s. legislators saying we're not interested in a stalemate. we're here until this war sworn. and that wraps it up for this hour of "cnn newsroom." the press conference continues, and we will bring you that late breaking news out of ukraine, but for now, our international viewers "mission ahead" is next.

if you are watching in the u.s. or canada, our breaking coverage continues with new day, with amarara walker. our unique water based formula anand 6x more glycerin. helps rerestore skin to its best condition. new dove ultimimate.

for back pain, i've always been a take two and call in the morning guy. but my new doctor recommended salonpas. without another pill upsetting my stomach, i get powerful, effective and safe relief. salonpas. it's good medicine.

my fellow xfinity customers. hi tim. the biggest week in entertainment is almost here. watchathon week presented by xfinity rewards. with free access to stranger things from netflix. the boys from prime video. hbo max, starz, and peacock. just say watchathon into your voice remote and get ready to watch. i love you. i love you. i love you all.

good morning, everyone. it is sunday, may 1st. i'm amara walker in today for boris sanchez. >> the first day of may. at long last, i'm laura jarrett in for christi paul. thank you so much for starting your sunday with us. >> we begin with breaking news this morning. and a high level show of support from the u.s. to ukraine. >> yeah, house speaker nancy pelosi led the first official u.s. delegation to ukraine since the war began. her visit makes -- marks the highest ranking u.s. official to go there since russia invaded. presiden