President Joe Biden will address the nation Thursday after pledging new sanctions to punish Russia for the “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine.

Biden’s remarks are now scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

A senior U.S. defense official said Thursday’s attack by Russia appears to be the first phase in what will likely be a multiple phased, large-scale invasion.

The attack began before dawn and brought explosions to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other cities. Ukraine’s leadership said Thursday at least 40 people have been killed so far in what it called a “full-scale war” targeting the country from the east, north and south.

Biden said he planned to speak to Americans after a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders. While specific details of the speech have not been released, more sanctions against Russia were expected to be announced.

In a previous statement, Biden said Putin “has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.”

MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/president-joe-biden-speech-russia-ukraine-invasion/507-6eea3b93-b958-4855-8830-551cb5a3a79e

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