War drums are beating in Russia so most of Biden’s national security team is being deployed to the Sunday shows to explain to Americans what happens after Ukraine is attacked. Jake Sullivan is absent this morning but the rest of the cabinet is on deck. It’ll be defense secretary Lloyd Austin on “This Week,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on “Fox News Sunday,” and secretary of state Antony Blinken on “Meet the Press,” “Face the Nation,” and “State of the Union.” The head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, will follow Blinken on “Face the Nation.” Expect Team Biden to promise a punishing — but non-military — response to Russia and to warn viewers that gas prices might be a little … uncomfortable in the near future.

Or rather, even more uncomfortable than they’ve been.

Here’s the latest from Ukraine, by the way:

Latest Ukrainian polling

Joining NATO
Yes: 65% (+3)
No: 35% (-3)

Joining EU
Yes: 74% (+8)
No: 26% (-8)https://t.co/d3IEbdmys8

— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) February 18, 2022

It’s nice that Ukrainians want that, but the fascist who rules Russia has decided that Ukrainian democracy doesn’t work for him and so he has little choice but to kill them en masse to prevent it.

As for Russia’s next moves after subjugating Ukraine, tune into “State of the Union” for a chat with Sauli Niinistö, the president of Finland. His country knows only too well what it means to be under Russia’s thumb. Has the news from Ukraine piqued his interest in joining NATO? He’ll show his cards this morning.

Finally, San Francisco Mayor London Breed will chat with “Meet the Press” about the stunning rebellion in her hometown that led to three ultra-woke school board members being punted out of office in recall elections. Breed will appoint their replacements, which makes her views of school COVID policy especially important. She’ll share those and provide a progress report on how the city’s effort to end organized shoplifting is coming along. The full line-up is at the AP.