President Obama plans to address the nation this week about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the worst in U.S. history.

White House adviser David Axelrod told NBC's Meet the Press Sunday that Obama will discuss the disaster after he returns from a visit to the region Monday and Tuesday, reports the Associated Press.

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"The president will announce several steps" for handling the spill's fallout, Alexrod said. Scientists estimate the Gulf spill has spewed anywhere from 40 million gallons of oil to more than 100 million gallons since the Deepwater Horizon rig, run by energy giant BP, exploded April 20.

Axelrod said Obama, who meets Wednesday at the White House with BP executives, will demand the company fund an escrow account that a third-party panel will administer to distribute damage claims from individuals and businesses hurt by the Gulf spill, reports POLITICO.

"We want to make sure that that money is independently administered so that [they] won't be slow-walked on these claims," Axelrod told NBC. Asked if a U.S. aid package will be announced, he said: "I think that the assistance is going to come from BP. They're responsible for it."

Readers: Should BP establish a damage fund and allow a third party to pay out the claims?