Axios

Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council chief Oleksiy Danilov announced during a briefing Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had foiled an assassination plot against President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a Telegram post from Ukrainian authorities.

Why it matters: Zelensky has said since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine that he would be a prime target for assassination. Last Thursday, he warned that Russian "sabotage groups" had entered Kyiv and were hunting for him and his family.

President Biden will emphasize the U.S. and NATO's prepared response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "premeditated and unprovoked" invasion of Ukraine in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, according to excerpts from his speech.

The big picture: Putin's actions have sparked accusations of terrorism and war crimes, and forced over 660,000 Ukrainians to flee their homes. U.S. officials had warned for weeks that an invasion was on the horizon.

The world's biggest shipping companies are suspending shipments to and from Russia amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The big picture: Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM are all turning from Russia in light of safety and operations concerns, the companies said Tuesday. The move underscores Russia's increasing isolation as businesses and organizations around the world cut ties.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players will not be allowed to compete under the name or flag of their countries but will still be allowed to play in tournaments, the international governing bodies of tennis announced on Tuesday.

Driving the news: The Women's Tennis Association and the Association of Tennis Professionals will also be suspending a joint scheduled event in October in Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the peace talks with Russia during an interview with CNN that aired Tuesday, saying "we'll see" when asked whether talks were potentially a waste of time.

Why it matters: The war entered its sixth day Tuesday, as Russian forces intensified their bombing campaign on Ukrainian cities.

A small group of Latino U.S. House members recently expressed "extreme concern" about a plan to potentially dispatch robot dogs along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Driving the news: A letter obtained by Axios Latino shows that U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) are seeking a meeting with U.S. Customs and Border Protection about the robots.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an emotional address to the European Parliament on Tuesday, as his country continued its fierce resistance on the sixth day of a brutal Russian invasion that is increasingly targeting civilians.

Why it matters: Zelensky has cast Russia's assault on Ukraine as an attack on Europe and its democratic values. He is now pleading with the EU to grant Ukraine membership, formally signing an application on Monday after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine is "one of us."

DirecTV plans to drop RT America from its lineup in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a spokesperson said.

Why it matters: TV distributors in the U.S. are facing increased pressure to remove Russian state media from their platforms.

A Russian strike damaged the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial site in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday, adding that at least five people were killed in the attack.

Driving the news: The memorial commemorates the roughly 70,000 to 100,000 people killed by the Nazis at Babyn Yar between 1941 and 1943, including nearly the entire Jewish population of Kyiv, according to the memorial's center.

The International Energy Agency said Tuesday that member countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil to help volatility in global oil markets set off by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Why it matters: Oil prices, which were already increasing before Russia's invasion as the demand revival from the pandemic tightened markets, have recently surged to over $100 a barrel in response to the war.

The International Skating Union on Tuesday banned athletes in Russia and Belarus from competing in international ice skating events as Russia's invasion of Ukraine intensifies.

Driving the news: "The ISU Council reiterates its solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country," the ISU said in a statement.

Diplomats from mainly Western countries staged walkouts of two meetings when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov began a remote address on Tuesday.

Driving the news: Ukraine's ambassador to the UN in Geneva led the walkout at the UN Human Rights Council and was followed by approximately 100 people, a council spokesperson told Axios.

African nations and U.S. civil rights leaders are condemning the reported mistreatment of Africans by Ukrainian authorities as they try to flee the nation amid Russia's invasion.

Driving the news: Nigeria's government strongly criticized reports and video images from its citizens — and those from other African nations — that they were being prevented from leaving, and facing harsh treatment in neighboring Poland.

A cargo ship carrying luxury cars that caught fire in February sunk in the Atlantic Ocean Tuesday despite efforts save it, according to the ship operator.

Why it matters: The risk assessment company Russell Group estimated last week that the fire to the ship could cost Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini at least $155 million in losses.

With Ukraine holding Russia off longer than many U.S. officials had expected, President Biden now faces a great unanswered question — how to give Vladimir Putin an off-ramp to avoid even greater calamity.

Why it matters: A cornered, humiliated Putin could unleash untold pain on the world, from cyberattacks to nuclear threats. After enacting brutal sanctions, the White House now must consider how the invasion can end without a new catastrophe.

Conservative Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn is backing Nashville's largely left-leaning music scene in advocating for tougher action on trademark protections for music in the Chinese market.

The big picture: Economic abuses arising in the Chinese market affect Americans of all backgrounds and are emerging as one of the few areas of bipartisan cooperation.

The Turkish government has rejected the citizenship applications of some Uyghurs who have been outspoken about the detention of their families in China, citing risks they pose to "national security" and "public order," according to interviews and documents reviewed by Axios.

Why it matters: Turkey has been an important refuge for Uyghurs, who have faced repressive policies in China for years. But Ankara's growing economic and security ties with Beijing have led to fears among some Uyghurs that they're no longer safe in Turkey.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee early on Tuesday called for a "complete ban on international sport participation" for Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials over the invasion of Ukraine, "effective immediately."

Why it matters: If this were to happen, the countries' athletes would be barred from competing in the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, which start this Friday.

A Ukrainian government official thanked Elon Musk after a promised shipment of terminals from SpaceX's satellite internet service Starlink arrived in Ukraine Monday.

The big picture: Musk responded to Ukraine digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov's request Saturday, saying the satellites had been activated in Ukraine and more terminals were en route. He replied to Fedorov's tweet confirming the terminals' arrival: "you are most welcome."

Go deeper: The latest on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

New satellite images show a massive convoy of Russian military vehicles heading toward Kyiv is more than twice as long as analysts previously estimated it to be.

The big picture: Analysts originally believed the procession of invading vehicles spanned 17 miles. They now estimate it's closer to 40 miles long, stretching from near Ukraine's Antonov Airport in the south and north to near the tiny town of Prybirs'k, according to satellite imaging firm Maxar Technologies.

More than half a million Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries as Russia continues its invasion of their homeland, according to UN statistics released Monday.

Why it matters: There were 84 million forcibly displaced people around the world as of mid-2021, according to UN data. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as last year's fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, will only add to the global population without a home.

The European Union has moved with unprecedented speed and strength to sanction Russia and aid Ukraine, shattering its plodding, bureaucratic image with a response that would have seemed inconceivable one week ago.

Why it matters: Putin has done the unthinkable with his unprovoked assault, reversing decades of German defense and energy policy, turning a European peace project into a weapons dealer, and setting Ukraine on an accelerated path to EU membership.

The National Hockey League condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Monday and announced that it is suspending relationships with all business partners in Russia effective immediately.

The big picture: It's the latest fallout as businesses and organizations turn on Russia.