U.S. President Joe Biden called a meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday morning to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine.

This was announced by a White House spokesman, according to CNN.

A number of top national security officials arrived at the White House Thursday morning. Among them are National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director Bill Burns and Vice President Kamala Harris.

On Thursday, Biden is expected to lay out a set of sanctions prepared to deter an open Russian attack on Ukraine.

It is announced that Biden will address the nation at 12 noon (7 p.m. Kiev time).

European Union leaders will meet for an extraordinary summit on Thursday to approve "hellish sanctions" against Russia.