By announcing that the Ukrainian regions that Russia has recognized as independent are going further than the areas currently controlled by the separatists, Russian President Vladimir Putin “is developing justifications to go much further”, said Mr. Biden.
“This is the start of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the US president added in an address to the nation from the White House.
“First tranche” of sanctions
Mr. Biden announced a “first tranche” of sanctions which must cut off Russia from Western funding and target “Russian elites” as well as financial institutions.
“We are putting in place broad sanctions on Russian sovereign debt. This means we are cutting off the Russian government from Western funding,” he said.
“I authorized the redeployment of American forces already positioned in Europe to reinforce our Baltic allies, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania”, continued the chief executive, while recalling that the United States does not not give up hope of finding a diplomatic solution.
“There is no doubt that Russia is the aggressor, so we are aware of the challenges we face,” he said. “Nevertheless, there is still time to avoid the worst-case scenario that will inflict enormous suffering on millions of people.”
“We will judge Russia by its deeds, not its words. And whatever Russia does next, we stand ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction. I hope that the diplomatic channel will remain open,” he concluded.
There is still time to avoid “the worst”
“There is no doubt that Russia is the aggressor, so we are aware of the challenges we face,” Biden said. “Nevertheless, there is still time to avoid the worst-case scenario which will inflict enormous suffering on millions of people,” he added.
“We will judge Russia by its deeds, not its words. And whatever Russia does next, we stand ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction. I hope that the diplomatic channel will remain open,” he said.
Biden ‘reaffirms’ US support
President Joe Biden met in Washington with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to whom he “reaffirmed” American support for Kiev.
Mr. Biden assured the head of Ukrainian diplomacy that Washington “would continue to provide security aid and macro-economic support to Ukraine,” the US executive said in a statement.