BSH NEWS
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Tuesday cut off Moscow from western financing and imposed unspecified sanctions on Russian elites in the first tranche of punitive measures in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at the White House, Biden said there would be more sanctions if Russia moved further into Ukraine, as he expected it would. “If they move further, we have further sanctions ready,” he warned, saying everything Russia was doing pointed to a fuller invasion of Ukraine.
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Biden said Russia’s actions constituted a flagrant violation of international law and it demanded a firm response from the US and its allies. He also accused Putin of historic revisionism for questioning the very existence of Ukraine. “There is no question Russia is the aggressor,” the US President said.
Biden also said he had directed a marginal movement of US troops already in Europe into the three Baltic republic adjoining Russia, while asserting that the US did not want to go to war with Russia but would defend every inch of NATO territory. THe US would also provide defensive equipment to Ukraine, he said.
Despite the precipitous events of the past 24-48 hours, Biden held out hope for talks with Russia if it is serious. :”There is still time to avert a worst care scenario. We are open to diplomacy if it is serious,” he said.
On its part, Russia has said the US and its allies have not responded seriously to its security concerns.