| The possibility of a Russian chemical attack in Ukraine has U.S. officials on high alert as Moscow ramps up its offensive in western Ukraine and China takes on a larger role in discussions surrounding the war as it reaches day 19. Biden administration officials on Sunday indicated that they are bracing for the deployment of chemical weapons in Ukraine after Russia accused the U.S. of housing biological weapons in the region, which the White House has rejected. The dubious claim is viewed as a Russian attempt to lay the groundwork for a possible chemical attack. “It is a very legitimate concern, fear that Russia would use chemical weapons in Ukraine,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" when asked if the U.S. would consider intervening more directly if Russian President Vladimir Putin makes that move. "They’re right now accusing the United States and Ukrainians and potentially using chemical and biological weapons which is a tell,” Sullivan continued. “It’s a tell that they themselves may be preparing to do so, and then trying to pin the blame on someone else” (The Hill). Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Sunday that the department is watching this possibility “very, very closely” but added that the U.S. has not “seen anything that indicates some sort of imminent chemical or biological attack right now” (The Hill). The Hill: Sullivan says Putin “resorting” to potential use of chemical weapons due to frustrations. The Hill: Ukraine doesn't expect NATO's help if Russia uses chemical attack. Adding to the frustration, Russian propaganda efforts reached a new level within the U.S. on Sunday as former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) threw her weight behind a conspiracy theory about the U.S.’s involvement in Ukrainian biological laboratories. The comments came after Russian government-controlled media outlets have used clips of the former Democratic presidential candidate on Fox News’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” as a justification for the invasion, earning her widespread criticism from lawmakers in the process. “Tulsi Gabbard is parroting false Russian propaganda,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) tweeted on Sunday. “Her treasonous lies may well cost lives.” The Hill: Putin efforts to stifle media reach fever pitch. The Wall Street Journal: President Biden’s handling of Ukraine conflict imperils energy, foreign-policy pledges. Bloomberg News: European Union mulls Russia export ban on cars worth more than 50,000 Euros. The Hill: U.S., EU cyber investments in Ukraine pay off amid war. Meanwhile, fighting continued on Sunday in Ukraine, headlined by a Russian missile attack against a Ukrainian military base near the Polish border that killed at least 35 people and injured at least 134 others. Russian warplanes launched about 30 cruise missiles at a facility in Yavoriv that served as a crucial cooperation locale for Ukraine and NATO nations that are backing its defense. The fighting near NATO territory also brought forth the possibility of the alliance being forced into the conflict, an idea the U.S. almost universally wants to avoid (more on this below). The Ukraine-Poland border has also served as an entry point for military aid from the West (The Associated Press). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was a “black day” during his nightly address (The Associated Press). Today will also bring a fourth round of negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials, with the need of getting food, water, medicine and other supplies to cities that are suffering deeply, including Mariupol (The Associated Press). Elsewhere in the country, the Ukrainian national power grid company on Sunday managed to restore a broken power line to the Chernobyl power plant after power was cut to the site on Wednesday. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko lauded those who reconnected the lines as “heroes” as the power is used in order to prevent leaks of radiation. The Hill: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko says he is worried he is a target of the Russian military. The New York Times: How does it end? A way out of the Ukraine War proves elusive. 
© Associated Press/Felipe Dana The situation on the ground for Russia has also forced it to seek help from China. According to The New York Times, Moscow asked Beijing for military equipment and support for the war, with Putin also pressing for economic assistance due to the heavy sanctions levied by the U.S. and Europe. A U.S. official declined to discuss the Chinese reaction to the Russian ask. The news also comes as U.S. and Chinese officials are set to meet today in Rome to discuss the war in Ukraine. Forecasting the talks, Sullivan issued a warning to Beijing, calling on them to decide against aiding Russia economically (The Associated Press). “I’m not going to sit here publicly and brandish threats,” Sullivan told CNN. “But what I will tell you is we are communicating directly and privately to Beijing that there absolutely will be consequences. … We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country anywhere in the world.” The Hill: Russia's efforts to salvage economy could have devastating impacts. The Wall Street Journal: U.S. won’t negotiate Ukraine-related sanctions with Russia to save Iran nuclear deal. The Hill: Israel faces high stakes as Russia go-between. Finally, Sunday was also one of protests as demonstrators took to the streets across Europe. Tens of thousands congregated in Berlin to rally against the war, marching from Alexanderplatz toward the Brandenburg Gate. Anti-Russia demonstrations also took place in London, Warsaw, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart. Also speaking out on Sunday was Pope Francis, who decried the invasion as an “armed aggression” in his most pointed remarks since the war began nearly three weeks ago (Reuters). The Hill: Francis decries “barbarianism” of children killed in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal: Millions are fleeing Ukraine, some are going back. 
© Associated Press/Michael Sohn | 
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