The Kremlin defended its bombing of a Ukraine hospital Thursday while the highest-level talks yet failed to reach agreement on a humanitarian cease-fire aimed at protecting Ukraine cities battered by fierce Russian assaults.

In Poland, Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated the U.S. commitment to NATO and defense of its members is "ironclad." Harris, during a joint news conference in Warsaw with Polish President Andrzej Duda, said America is deeply appreciative of Poland's efforts to aid refugees fleeing the carnage in Ukraine.

"This is a moment that requires severe and swift consequences for Russian aggression against Ukraine," Harris said. "What is at stake, this very moment, are some of the guiding principles around the NATO alliance."

The meeting came after the Biden administration rejected a plan from Poland that would involve U.S. involvement in providing fighter jets to Ukraine, a decision drawing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . questions from some Republican senators. U.S. defense officials also have distanced themselves from Ukraine requests for a NATO-backed no-fly zone over the country.