US President Joe Biden has reacted to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict and announced severe sanctions against Russia. The US President speaks of the “beginning of an invasion” and announces further military aid.
After the recent escalation in the Ukraine crisis, US President Joe Biden continues to expect a large-scale attack by Russia on the neighboring country. “We continue to believe that Russia is ready to go significantly further and launch a massive military strike against Ukraine,” Biden said at the White House in Washington on Tuesday. He described Moscow’s recognition of the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics and the planned deployment of Russian troops in the eastern Ukrainian regions as “the beginning of an invasion” of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin provides “a justification for the violent capture of further areas”.
Biden announced new sanctions against Russia because of the recent escalation by Moscow. The punitive measures will therefore be directed against two large banks, against the trade in Russian government bonds and against supporters of Putin and their families. Biden stressed that the US is ready to take even tougher steps if Russia continues to press ahead with its crackdown on Ukraine.
Ban on trading in Russian government bonds
The sanctions, which are intended to ban US banks from trading in Russian government bonds in the future, would cut off Moscow’s access to western capital markets, stressed Biden. The US government had already banned US financial institutions from trading in government bonds on the primary market last year, but not on the important secondary market.
The European Union also launched a ban on trading in Russian government bonds on Tuesday. In addition, several hundred people and companies are said to be on the EU sanctions list. Britain imposed sanctions on five Russian banks and three Russian oligarchs. The federal government, in turn, put the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline on hold for the time being.
Joe Biden announces more military aid
On Monday evening, Putin recognized the independence of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin chief also ordered Russian soldiers to be sent to eastern Ukraine. The upper house of parliament approved a troop deployment in eastern Ukraine. Putin is planning an invasion of Ukraine for the second time since 2014. The West accuses him of violating international law. According to Western sources, Russia has gathered about 150,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine.
Biden announced further military aid and troop deployments. “The United States will continue to provide defense assistance to Ukraine in the meantime, and we will continue to strengthen our NATO allies,” he said. He approved additional deployments of US forces and equipment already in Europe.
Joe Biden still open to diplomatic solution
Despite the escalation, Biden remained open to a diplomatic solution. “When all is said and done, we will judge Russia by its actions and not by its words,” he stressed. “The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy. If it’s serious.” At the same time, Biden emphasized the cohesion of the West in the conflict: “We are united in our support for Ukraine. We are united in our resistance to Russian aggression and we are united in our determination to defend our NATO alliance. “
Biden did not comment on his continued willingness to meet Putin in person. He agreed to such a possible meeting over the weekend on the condition that Russia would not invade Ukraine beforehand.
Source: Stern
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