new attacks after u.s. meets in kyiv. and able to sponsor ukrainians fleeing the violence. president biden expected to meet with the hispanic caucus, and new reports that what we know, and the implications of such a deal ahead. >> the very latest in ukraine, the u.s. secretary of states and defense met in kyiv, with powerful new language. >> we don't know how the rest of the war will unfold, ukraine will be around a lot more than president putin is on the scene. >> we want to see russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kind of things it has know done. in invading ukraine. it has lost a lot of troops. >> and president biden easter sunday. and local leaders accuse russia

joining us now, erin mclaughlin. and we will start with you. what is the reaction to the new string of attacks as well as the visits of secretaries, austin and blinken? >> well, with respect to the attacks, the ukrainians they say are outraged, russia continued to attack ukraine over the weekend. a holy weekend. sunday marks the orthodox easter celebrations in ukraine. there were no celebrations to be seen. over grieving, eight russian missiles struck odesa, a city it must be said is russia fondly looked at naming the city mama.

and the missiles struck a residential building, killing three generations of women, a woman, a mother and her three-month-old baby. they are continuing to pummel the steel plant, where hundreds of fighters and civilians are holed up. here in ukraine, outrage, especially over the holiday weekend, that those attacks continued. ukrainians are pointing to the blood shed as relationships why the west needs to continue to send weapons to this country to help in the war effort, to that effect, a victory from the secretary of state and secretary of defense from the united states was seen as critically important here. their announcements of $700 million in foreign aid, as well as the reopening of the diplomatic presence here in ukraine of the united states.

sending diplomats in the western portion of ukraine first, and finally, to unseal the embassy in kyiv, vitally important, and president saying that the ukrainian-american partnership is stronger than ever. >> and military financing, what does it look like? adding to the 3.5 billion, in aid in weapons. these are potentially a game

changer. a lot of artillery used in the next fight, the united states and other allies are trying to equip ukrainians to defend against russian artillery, expected to have a tremendous amount of artillery. the u.s. is trying to help the ukrainians defend against that and be able to push any russian offensive back. the russians have been trying to move down from a city for the ground offensive, but they have been called by continued ukrainian push-back, and the new weapons that u.s. and others are providing. in addition to that, the secretary of defense announced the u.s. was providing 165 million in ammunition. this is what we will see more of. ammunition makes sense, they are

running through it quickly. they are going to use more of it a senior defense official telling me a week ago, the ukrainians are using artillery rounds, thousands every day. from the united states and others, it is important to point out that secretary austen is holding this meeting with a bunch of secretaries of defense, and chiefs of defense, what we call here in the united states, the chairman of the joint chiefs, today and tomorrow at ramstein in germany to go over the exact issues. looking at what the ukrainian military and the ukrainian people are going to need, not just during the war, how they can posture ukraine for continuing to defend against the russians in the days, months and years ahead. >> and when you give us so much important information, just to underline, the ukrainians are using thousands of artillery

rounds every day. that is not a small thing. artillery rounds. they need more. we are joined by the senior white house correspondent kelly o'donnell. and president biden has. >> the work has been going on, bridget brink is a side that u.s. is stepping forward with deplomacy. this isn't the kind of ambassadorship from polickical donors that sort of thing. she has background in that part of europe, and dealt with issues

that relate to former soviet countries, and advancing into nato. she previously worked in service at the national security council. the kind of portfolio that makes sense here. it is important, statement with the military support, steps taken to help with ukrainian defense. the diplomatic piece is important, the u.s. believes that sovereignty of ukraine will hold and should have a formal presence. there has been a hold up on the nominees to serve as ambassadors, tension with the senate. it is important for the president to chose a person to fill this role. that was one of the quote unquote deliverables, one of the things that secretary of state and the defense secretary were

able to present to president volodymyr zelenskyy, we are placing, another sign to have that diplomatic relationship to be fortified and signals a future for ukraine, important at this point, too. >> and interesting, david. how did you read that visit by the secretaries of state and defense? i was interested in what secretary of defense said, austen, talking about they wanted to see a weaker russia emerge? >> i had the same reaction, jose. i thought it was a new articulation of u.s. policy. we want to see russia weakened to never be able to do what it has done to ukraine. a clearer, broader definition of u.s. aims in this war.

stepping up the delivery of equipment, of obviously, artillery, munition, all the things mentioned. i would note as we reopen our embassy in kyiv, we resume the range of activities that are conducted, defense it won't be just diplomatic, fundamentally, i thought the statements from the secretary blinken and secretary austen, very much affirming that russia is failing in this contest. ukraine is succeeding, we will put in the weapons and supplies to make sure that outcome reflects that. >> when you start buying the

fact that putin's desperation would include bombing, consistently, different cities during orthodox easter sunday. even that sometimes is respected under rules of war. it seems there is nothing that putin is willing to do to continue destroying the people of ukraine? putin's only strategy at this point, seems to be scaring the people. he wants to attack odesa, hitting with missiles, most military analysts think he would lack the forces to do that along the coast. as far as the reports that i read, that military analysts are putting out, russia has not got the upper hand in this second

round of the campaign. >> thank you for being with us this morning. joining us, the former press secretary to volodymyr zelenskyy what are you hearing about the attacks on the railway station, and other attacks? >> reporter: thank you for having me. we are counting the casualties, five dead, 80 wounded. where there were missiles, and three dead we don't know about the casualties there, a number of casualties in other regions right now. this is very painful. as you mentioned, orthodox

easter putin, signs that accepteding missiles to kill civilians in ukraine. >> that is an important thing. that he would respect that day, but not at all. what is your reaction to high level american representatives of the biden administration being in ukraine over the weekend? and the message they brought? as well as deliverables? >> absolutely. very strong messages, and very strong actions that stand behind those messages. in fact, ukraine was asking for top officials to come and visit ukraine during the war. the war is on-going as you see. during this war time, the top officials take the train and cross the whole ukraine toward

kyiv. the capital of ukraine. maybe it was a threat they wanted to put on officials of the united states. ukrainians appreciate this visit during war time. that was the day of orthodox easter, ukrainians were waiting for a blessing. i don't want to put it in religious context, of course. very detailed mood to figure out what is going on. we see, the united states, one shows they already respect the victory that ukraine has done during this invague. there was the battle of kyiv, we

fight, artillery, security service messages that catch the conversations between russians and the messages between that. they are shocked that the ukrainians are defending so furiously. i must say to you, ukraines -- two, three weeks only supply. let's hope we won't need more. it is very important to say we are grateful. the artillery tends to run out. we will need more support. we provide our strength and our army that stands for independence and democracy on

the border with russia. >> what is happening today that could bring thousands of ukrainian refugees into the united states. >> following new developments in elon musk's fight to buy twitter. the latest, next!

>> now, to breaking news from the tech world, a source close

to the situation tells cnbc, twitter's board is reviewing a new, and a deal could be announced today. steve, good morning, what do you know about what is going on? >> we are in this wait and see mode right now. we know the board met yesterday. last minute thing to go over this deal. what it tells me is that they weren't able to find another buyer outside of elon musk to be their so-called white knight and avoid the drama they have to go through, with elon musk buying the company. they have to look at the company say this is good for share holders, good for the company. people will make money on the deal. we have to seriously consider it

now. we are in the wait and see mode to see if it goes through. it could happen any minute now. >> these are big numbers. >> yes, right now, the offer is in the 46 billion range. he is financing that with his own personal fortune, two-thirds of it, straight out of his pocket. and a bunch of financing partners to help him buy it. the question becomes, what does it look like? if it gets aproed by the board, what does twitter look like under elon musk? the big trump question, do they reinstate him on the platform? >> thanks, we will find out today, maybe. >> today, president biden is expected to meet with the hispanic caucus, planning to end the title 42 next month. a rule set by the trump mmpgz,

blocked 1.7 million attempts to cross the border. house republicans traveling to the southern border in texas. morgan, good morning, what are you seeing on this trip by republican lawmakers? >> reporter: good morning, we have only been here on the banks of the rio grand, but we have seen plenty. the group of lawmakers, lead by kevin mccarthy. it will feature others as well. margeorie taylor-green. the title 42 that policy that has so many asylum seekers on the mexican side of the border that could be rolling back on may 23rd. that is when the anticipated surge, some numbers going as high as nearly 200,000 migrants

are expected to cross the u.s.-mexico border. i can tell you right now, this problem, this issue, jose, is on-going. we have video from an hour or two ago, on the banks of the river, and we witnessed a small group come across from mexico, and officially, if you can hear that on my microphone that is one of the patrol boats with two agents on board. they are going up and down the river today, because as i mentioned today, we have seen several groups of migrants crossing. they stopped midway, and continued to cross whereupon they were met by two texas national guardsmen, who held them until border control could arrive. there was a couple from cuba, with their 2-year-old daughter,

and another group, they were here to seek a better life. with title 42 in place, there is no guarantee, at least as of right now, whether they will be able to stay here or try to connect with family members or be returned back to mexico, as you mentioned. a million or so people have been done so throughout the pandemic. >> so, this is important to say. there is no legal way that people can come to the united states border and formally request asylum. there is no line anywhere to get to to request asylum. this is the only way people are even trying to ask for the possibility of asylum. it many times cost them their lives, a 2-year-old child from cuba, with his parents, the treacherous journey to get to

the border is extraordinarily dangerous, as is the river, where you are right now. >> yes, are you absolutely right. to touch on that i should note, we are entering day tleef a search for a texas national guardsman, who vanished white trying to rescue two migrants who appeared to be drowning on friday. the search is on-going for him right now. as for now, they are saying he is missing and continuing to search the river for him. with dive teams, where they know the current was strong where he was last scene. these are the conditions that are dangerous for those not just coming from central america from mexico, but even for those on this side patrolling. that is why it is an increasing amount of attention and scrutiny placed on the texas -- on the

u.s.-mexican border. >> thank you. >> and in a case that could have significant implications for the separation of church and state. public school employees, on the ban of government endorsing a specific religion. the coach that was praying after games. the district said, it was trying to avoid the appearance of endorsing a specific religious point of view. the process of admitting ukrainian refugees into the united states. it will hopefully begin today.

did it? next.

>> 31 past the hour, the biden administration is supposed to

open an online portal for people to sponsor ukrainian refugees. for two years, so far, it doesn't seem like such a website exists. joining us, president and ceo of the lutheran immigration service, and a former policy director for michelle obama. is there no portal? >> there should be one later this afternoon. it is a disappointment for the ukrainian americans who said they would be 50 and line to try to be 1 of the first 100,000 to bring their family members over to the united states. they have people they say are in harm's way. people who fled into russia. people with elderly grandmothers waiting in ukraine, people in

poland, finding it hard and crowded conditions, they wanted to sign up to bring to the united states. waiting to be first in line. we are told it should launch from dhs.gov. it should be coming, it is later than some had expected. >> i know we can't figure out what -- we can't comment on what will be on t when we haven't been able to see it yet, the process is that that's the way to get to the united states? if you are one of the 1 in the 100,000 the biden administration said will be accepted into the country? is that way to do it? >> that is the way. they want to shut down the other way. coming across the southern border. they have been able to kro,z like many others subjected to

title 42. many have been given humanitarian. when they have a sponsor, someone who can financially support them in the united states, and someone who can be vetted, to make sure they are want in trafficking or forced labor, be a family member, a nonprofit or religious organization, to sponsor a ukraine cran, where they would be allowed to stay for up to two years. >> you are disappointed the united states made it a sponsorship program, why? >> it is important to understand what the program does and doesn't do. on the plus side, it does allow for american citizens and institutions to sponsor ukrainians as julia is describing, that is helpful. we resettled a quarter of the

ukrainian refugees, and we hear daily pleas. it doesn't provide lasting protection or formal assistance to the refugees. it allows them two years of temporary residence. for those returning, that makes sense, others see their cities reduced to rubble. they need to stay permanently. it doesn't include health care, housing assistance, many will be coming with basic belongings, and expected to navigate this. >> very few were approved, will this time be more of the same or maybe more will be approved? >> actually, it could even mean lsz for the ukrainians, i am glad she is part of this, her

organization having first hand experience with this. it meant sponsorship. money that the u.s. was putting behind it, those who got humanitarian parole, and they will yes, be able to go security concerns for ukrainians, versus people leaving afghanistan. if you think that in terms of how little the u.s. has been able to process in terms of overall refugee cap. able to process just over 8,000. that is for refugee status. will that be different? we will have to see. >> anything regular people can do to help? >> yes, really appreciate that question. it is going to be especially important with the ukrainian

refugees, who won't be eligible for benefits or services. a ukraine action center. anyone interested can find ways to pitch n volunteering, donating, sponsoring, we encourage to do so, it will take a village to help the refugees. >> i am thinking of posttitle 42. so many tens of thousands of people that have been on that border, awaiting their opportunity to simply request asylum, it has not been given to them. things we can do to help there, too? >> we need to. it is important to understand, yes, of course, ukrainian refugees deserve protection, they are fleeing for their lives, there are thousands in mexico, waiting to exercise a legal right. they will hopefully, come across

the border. this is where we need support. people who are willing to volunteer. whether it is at the border at the interior, where some will travel. providing housing, food, clothes, that is critically important. >> thank you so much for being with us. >> a former white house official, about the insurrection. did anyone in the white house know about the possibility of violence before january 6th?

>> 42 past the hour, lawmakers, returning back to washington, in a new court filing, aiming to get a federal court to compel mark meadows to testify, the house january 6th committee that

a former meadows' aid said he was warned in advance about violence that day. what does this court filing tell us? >> thanks for having me. the top line from this report is really that cassidy hutchinson, one of meadow's aides, that a secret service agent, someone who served as a political advisor to the former president, told mark meadows directly there would potentially be violence. he said, let's talk about it. details in a 248-page briefing that painted an even deeper picture of the extent that meadows was involved in the efforts to overturn the election, told that efforts were

unconstitutional, illegal, and several red flags around the situations. >> what does it mean for the house january 6th committee? >> yes, i think it means a few things. from a legal perspective, it means that you know, mark meadows potentially falls into this category that the january 6th is trying to prove, there was a good faith basis. that meadows actually knew there was a problem, a legal issue with some of the efforts again, to overturn the results of the election. therefore, along with others, trying to defraud and obstruct congress. and acting with criminal intent or corrupt intent there. there is a case that you can see, if you look across all of the public filings the committee released so far, that i ever are trying to show that former

president, mark meadows and the people in his orbit were told in many ways by various players that there were legal issues, there wasn't a constitutional basis for what they were doing. >> thank you for being with us. >> thanks. >> coming up, a small california city is revolutionizing transportation, how it could be a blue print for the rest of the country. at walmart, we're working on it, every day.

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we turn to a small farm working town, praised by the biden administration and pretty much the world. morgan travelled there, to see why they have the most electric vehicle charging stations in the country. >> gas prices soaring, politicians scramble to try to figure out how to make things easier to get people where they need to go. one small town in california found a solution.

think uber, green, and for farm workers, it is not just good for the environment, it is good for the passengers. >> are these all are these all ele vehicles? >> they are. known as green raharos. >> like lopez, and inricka contreras. >> it's everybody is working and you don't have a chance to take off and help your family members get there. >> it was started as a

non-profit in 2018. >> we have been doing this for a very long time, long before uber and lyft. >> it's an friendly ecotake on a city that is nearly 95% latino. >> what is it? >> it's spanish for give me a ride. >> when you explain the old way of doing things, they would go to a restaurant and know where a driver was hanging out and say i need you to take me at home? >> yeah, they would say i have a doctor's appointment this day, and he will take a sip of his coffee and say, yes. >> now how does it work? >> they can come to the office or give us a call. >> and huron is among one of the cities with the largest green

cities per capita. it's a strategy that has gotten the attention of the biden administration. >> the department has been in touch with the city. very impressed with the work they are doing. >> when you look at a model like this, do you think it's the type of system that could be replicated in other cities across the country. >> it's ideas like this, community-driven approaches like this we are trying to do more to support those federal dollars. >> a greener future rooted in traditions of the past. >> so there is hope. if you like this program, later this year the department of transportation plans to announce a grant-funding plan that could have a huge impact to programs like this, and it could really expand electric vehicle access, and he is planning to apply, josé. >> really, this is such a great

story. >> i am following in your footsteps. >> thank you. >> you can catch more of morgan's reporting every week day on nbc news now, and i have to tell you, just the light she is shining on our communities is just extraordinary. still ahead, an nbc news exclusive, china is hunting down uighurs, not only in the country, but around the world. details, next. rld. details, next. we hit the bike trails every weekend shinges doesn't care. i grow all my own vegetables shingles doesn't care. we've still got the best moves you've ever seen good for you, but shingles doesn't care. because 1 in 3 people will get shingles, you need protection. but, no matter how healthy you feel, your immune system declines as you age increasing your risk for getting shingles. so, what can protect you? shingrix protects. you can protect yourself from shingles with a vaccine proven to be over 90% effective.

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56 past the hour, france's president, emmanuel macron, became the first french leader to be re-elected in two decades. he secured more than 58% of the vote to le pen's 41. we have a brand-new nbc news exclusive report that the chinese government is hunting down uighurs around the world according to the woodrow wilson center. chinese authorities started rounding up uighurs and other ethnic minorities and contained them in re-education camps. anna, good morning. what you have learned? >> good morning, josé. this report really expands the uighur story, so it's not just about mistreating uighurs as you were just describing within china's borders, but the beijing

government is reaching into other governments and bringing them back to china and they face police torture in police custody and get lost in the vast web of re-education camps found all over the west of china. so this makes it a global story. the report something based on a data set out of the woodrow wilson center, a researcher that has been looking at this for years, and to count more than 1,300 uighurs who have either been harassed, detained or deported to china, and many of the countries, it's surprising because you might think they be sympathetic to the uighurs. >> so the re-education camps, they are essentially

concentration camps? >> they have been called concentration camps. yes, the uighurs are forced to renounce their religion study, and they are forced to work in cotton factories. some of our reporting has documented that. stand for extended periods of time. these camps are really part of a broader penal system that the uighurs are often put in, and it's illegal in china to meet in a group of ten or more because it's assumed it would be for prayer, for muslim prayer, and that's illegal in china and you can be sent to one of the re-education camps merely for that. we reached out to the foreign governments that we name in the report, namely, saudi arabia, the uae, and morocco, and the uae is the one country that got back to us and they said they

follow all global norms, and so that is that the one response we got. >> thank you so much for being with us. that wraps up the our for me. you can reach me on twitter and instagram. be sure and follow the show online. jd bough lard, msnbc. katy tur picks up with more news right now. >> good to be with you. i am katy tur. it's 8:00 a.m. eastern, and 11:00 pawic. the u.s. secretaries of state and defense meeting with ukrainian president zelenskyy in kyiv, and he's expressing his gratitude and said