Cristian Carlos.
On Tuesday, President Biden announced tough new sanctions aimed at punishing Russia for what he called “the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.” Joining European leaders in imposing severe economic consequences for flagrant violations of national sovereignty, he condemned the Russian Federation’s continued attempts to interfere with Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking from the East Room of the White House, President Joe Biden condemned Vladimir Putin for his aggression against Ukraine. “Russia’s action is […] a flagrant violation of international law and demands a strong response from the international community.”
Biden said the U.S. has imposed a “full lockdown” on two major Russian financial institutions and comprehensive sanctions on Russia’s debt, meaning it cannot get money from any country to fund its government through Western or European markets. He also noted that the U.S. will impose sanctions on Russia’s elite in an effort to ensure those closest to Putin do not escape financial pain on their own.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivered his speech less than a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an executive order sending troops into two separatist-held regions of Ukraine. The Russian parliament on Tuesday authorized the use of military force abroad, taking a step closer to what Western officials fear could be a full-scale attack on Ukraine.
Western leaders said Russian troops have already entered Ukraine in what President Biden called an “invasion.”
But as the harsh global response takes shape, Biden and his counterparts have struggled to balance the need to take swift and harsh action while preserving increased sanctions on Russia if President Putin escalates the conflict by trying to take over the entire country — a war that could kill tens of thousands of people. Biden has said he intends to increase sanctions against Putin if he goes beyond what he has done now.
US President Joe Biden said Russia has “undeniably acted against Ukraine.” He went on to say that they will continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates its presence, meanwhile announcing the first tranche of sanctions.
