Biden reaffirms Ukraine support but frowns at China

Last year's State of the Union was dramatically shaped by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which started days before the address.

At that moment, the chances of Ukraine staying in the fight with a more formidable Russian military seemed highly unlikely. Nearly a year later, Ukraine is firmly in the fight.

President Joe Biden took another moment to pay tribute to Ukraine, addressing one of his guests, Ambassador Oksana Markarova, as representing "not just her nation but the courage of her people."

He also applauded Congress for giving the Ukrainian what it needed to face Russia's brutal aggression; the United States has already committed nearly $30 billion in security assistance since the start of the war.

In private, administration officials have made clear to Ukrainian officials that Congress' patience with the cost of the war will have its limits. But with Tuesday's address, Biden offered an optimistic outlook about the prospects of long-term American support.

"Ambassador, America is united in our support for your country," Biden said looking toward Markarova in the gallery. "We will stand with you as long as it takes."

Biden had been on a winning streak countering the United States' rising military and economic competitor China.

Then Beijing brazenly floated a spy balloon across the United States, an embarrassing episode for Biden that culminated last weekend with him ordering the Pentagon to shoot the craft out of the sky over the Atlantic Ocean.

The incident has dominated headlines, with some Republicans arguing that it demonstrates Biden has been wobbly on Beijing.

Biden briefly addressed the incident directly: "As we made clear last week, if China's threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did."