West was ready for Russian invasion, says Biden

The West was ready for the "unprovoked" and "premeditated" attack by Russia on Ukraine, US President Joe Biden will say in a primetime speech to Congress, reports BBC.

Vladimir Putin "thought the West and Nato wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us here at home. He was wrong. We were ready," he will say.

Mr Biden's State of the Union speech, an annual event pushing a president's agenda, comes at a perilous time.

His approval ratings have plummeted amid widespread dissatisfaction.

The rising cost of living is a major source of concern for average Americans and his legislative agenda has hit roadblocks within his own Democratic Party.

In an acknowledgement of these economic headwinds, the president will promise a plan to "build a better America" in his primetime address.

"Lower your costs, not your wages. Make more cars and semiconductors in America. More infrastructure and innovation in America.

"More goods moving faster and cheaper in America. More jobs where you can earn a good living in America. And, instead of relying on foreign supply chains - let's make it in America."

But his biggest foreign policy crisis, the invasion of Ukraine, may dominate his speech, of which excerpts were released ahead of time.

"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.

"Putin was wrong. We were ready."

Hours before his address, President Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss what US help he could give his country after six days of the Russian assault.

First Lady Jill Biden is hosting Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova in her VIP box for the speech, which starts at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT).