Happening Now: White House Holds Briefing As Trump’s Faces Criticism Over Ukraine Moves

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will brief the press Tuesday afternoon, as President Trump’s proposals to end the war between Russia and Ukraine raise eyebrows.

Trump seemingly inched closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week after placing significant blame on Ukraine for the conflict that began over three years ago. The president also lavished intense criticism on Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, insinuating the leader is a “dictator” and justifying moves by the administration that kept Ukraine out of early peace talks with Russia.

The president has signaled willingness to meet with Zelensky to sign a deal that would provide Ukraine with a guarantee of safety in exchange for critical minerals from the Eastern European country.

The press briefing follows a decision by the U.S. and 17 other countries to vote against a U.N. resolution condemning the Kremlin for the war in the region. Russia was among those signatures.

It also comes as Republicans in Congress race to pass their budget resolution seeking to advance Trump’s legislative agenda ahead of a March 14 deadline.

The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. EST.