Breaking news overnight, Russia takes direct aim at the European economy, cutting off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.

Keeve is calling it, quote, gas blackmail after a new pledge from the West to keep supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons.

We'll get a live report. Plus, more tapes of House

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's private conversations with Republican leaders, this time

expressing worry that his member's rhetoric could incite more violence after January 6th. And

Vice President Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19 as a new study shows that more than half of all Americans have now been infected.

Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Wednesday, April 27th. I'm Jonathan Lemire.

The United States is set to lead a new coalition of global allies to coordinate defense and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced what is being called the Ukraine

Contact Group yesterday, while leading the first official meeting at Romstein Air Base in Germany.

There, Austin and Joint Chiefs Staff Chairman Mark Millie convened officials from more than

40 other nations to discuss the assistance efforts.

I like this whole group today to leave with a common and transparent understanding of Ukraine's

near-term security requirements because we're going to keep moving heaven and earth so that we can meet

them. Let's be clear. Russia's invasion is

indefensible, and so are Russian atrocities. We all start today from a position of moral clarity.

Russia is waging a war of choice to indulge the ambitions of one man.

Ukraine is fighting a war of necessity to defend its democracy, its sovereignty, and its citizens.

In a major policy shift, Germany is now sending its first shipments of heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Germany says it will give Ukrainian forces up to 50 anti-aircraft vehicles, known as Gepard's.

They were a major piece of Germany's army for about 50 years.

There's been growing pressure on the German Chancellor from members of

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