US President Joe Biden has warned that Russian leader Vladimir Putin "has no idea what's coming" as he banned Russian flights from the country's airspace.
He was speaking at the State of the Union on Tuesday which was rewritten to target Mr Putin for his country's invasion of Ukraine.
"Let each of us, if you're able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world," he said.
Often polarised along partisan lines, Democrats and Republicans rose to applaud his support for Ukraine, many waving Ukrainian flags and cheering in the chamber of the House of Representatives at his first formal State of the Union speech.
Many representatives wore blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP
The annual speech to Congress gave Mr Biden a platform to highlight his agenda, reassure fretful Americans and seek to boost his sluggish poll numbers amid dire warnings his fellow Democrats could face losses in November congressional elections.
Ahead of Mr Biden's arrival, the flags were passed out in the House chamber, the venue for his speech. Several women members of Congress arrived wearing the flag's colours of yellow and blue.
Mr Biden's challenge was to show Americans he is on top of the West's response to the tensest period in relations with Russia since the Cold War ended 30 years ago.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has tested Mr Biden's ability to respond rapidly to events without sending American forces into battle.
The crisis had forced Mr Biden to reshape the speech to focus on uniting Americans around a global effort to punish Moscow and support Kyiv.
He launched heavy criticism of Mr Putin in his remarks, saying the Russian leader had badly miscalculated Ukraine.
"He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead, he met a wall of strength he never imagined. He met the Ukrainian people," Mr Biden said.
"From President Zelenskyy to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination, inspires the world."
Mr Biden said Mr Putin ignored efforts to prevent war.
"Putin's war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn't respond. And, he thought he could divide us here at home," Mr Biden said. "Putin was wrong. We were ready."
Mr Biden announced the United States will ban Russian flights from American airspace.
"I am announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding an additional squeeze on their economy," he said.
In a show of support for Ukraine, first lady Jill Biden had as her guest at the speech the Ukraine ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, who travelled in the Biden motorcade from the White House to Capitol Hill.
Beyond Ukraine, the US president turned his mind to other matters of national significance. Here are the key points of what he had to say.
Inflation
Rising energy prices as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine risk exacerbating inflation in the US, which is already at the highest level in 40 years, eating into people's earnings and threatening the economic recovery from the pandemic.
The president in his speech revealed his plan to address inflation by reinvesting in American manufacturing capacity, speeding supply chains and reducing the burden of childcare and aged care on workers.
"We have a choice. One way to fight inflation is to drive down wages and make Americans poorer. I think I have a better idea to fight inflation: Lower your costs, not your wages. Make more cars and semiconductors in America. More infrastructure and innovation in America," he said.
"More jobs where you can earn a good living in America instead of relying on foreign supply chains let's make it in America."
COVID-19
Mr Biden announced that people will be able to order another round of free tests from the government and that his administration was launching a "test to treat" initiative to provide free antiviral pills at pharmacies to those who test positive for the virus.
"Tonight I can say we're moving forward safely back to a more normal routine.
Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address flanked by US Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Credit: Pool/Getty Images
Infrastructure, manufacturing
From internet broadband access to bridge construction, Mr Biden spoke about the investments his government has put in to deliver change for the nation.
In what he described as the "infrastructure decade", the president said millions of job opportunities will be pooled in through the modernisation of American infrastructure.
"We’ll create good jobs for millions of Americans, modernising roads, airports, ports and waterways all across America.
"And we’ll do it to withstand the devastating effects of the climate crisis and promote environmental justice."
With AAP.
