‘This is the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,’ says Joe Biden

Mr Biden said that by declaring that the regions of Ukraine that Russia recognized as independent were going beyond areas currently controlled by separatists, Russian President Vladimir Putin was “developing the justification to go much further”. are”, Mr Biden said.

“This is the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the US president said in an address to the nation from the White House.

The “first tranche” of sanctions

Mr Biden announced the “first tranche” of sanctions, which should cut Russia off from Western funding and target the “Russian elite” as well as financial institutions.

“We are imposing broad sanctions on Russian sovereign debt. This means we are cutting off Western funding to the Russian government,” he said.

“I authorized the redeployment of US forces already stationed in Europe to strengthen our Baltic allies, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania”, the chief executive continued, while recalling that the United States had diplomatically Haven’t given up hope of finding a 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 a worst-case scenario that will cause enormous suffering to millions.”

“We will judge Russia by its actions, not by its words. And whatever Russia does next, we are ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction. I hope the diplomatic channel remains open,” he said. concluded.

There’s 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. “Yet, there is still time to avoid the worst-case scenario that will cause enormous suffering to millions of people,” he said.

“We will judge Russia by its actions, not by its words. And whatever Russia does next, we stand ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction. I hope the diplomatic channel remains open.”

Biden ‘confirms’ US support

President Joe Biden met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba in Washington, with whom he “confirmed” US support for Kiev.

Mr Biden assured the head of Ukrainian diplomacy that Washington “will continue to provide security assistance and macro-economic assistance to Ukraine,” the US executive said in a statement.