Russia shocked the whole world when they went on a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday night. Just hours earlier, US authorities warned that an invasion was imminent, and US President Joe Biden is ready from the White House rostrum on Thursday night.
Russia has begun a brutal attack on the Ukrainian people. An unprovoked, unfounded and unnecessary attack. This was planned, says Biden.
The president points out that Russia has for a long time placed forces, military equipment and blood banks along the Ukrainian border, with the aim of invading the country.
– This says everything you need to know about his intentions. He rejected any attempt to negotiate in good faith with the United States and our allies, thunders the Democrat, who accuses Putin of “political theater.”
“Putin’s actions illustrate a vicious view of the future and our world,” Biden said.
New sanctions
Biden points out that the United States has warned about the invasion for several weeks, and that the attack is now unfolding as expected.
– Putin is the attacker, Putin chose war. And now he and his country will feel the consequences, says Biden, who announces further sanctions against Russia.
The United States limits, among other things, what can be exported to Russia, which will have major consequences for the Russian economy.
– Biden imposes a number of strong sanctions on Russia, with the aim of shutting them out of the world economy. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP Photo
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– We have deliberately designed these sanctions to maximize the long-term consequences for Russia, and to minimize the consequences for the United States and our allies, Biden explains.
Biden emphasizes that he has a number of allied countries with him in the sanctions, a group that together make up more than half of the world economy.
– We want to limit Russia’s ability to participate in the international economy. We want to limit their ability to expand the military. We will introduce major sanctions to prevent them from competing in the high-tech economy of the 21st century, warns Biden.
Can go after Putin himself
The president points out that the sanctions and pressure on Russia have already had an effect, and points out that the ruble on Thursday morning reached a historic low, at the same time as the Russian stock markets plunged.
Biden is also looking for four more Russian banks, which freezes all the funds the banks have in the United States. In addition, a number of high-ranking Russian oligarchs and their family members are sanctioned.
The president does not currently choose to go after the Russian oil and gas industry, but does not rule out that it will happen in the coming days. Biden also says that it may be relevant to impose direct sanctions on Putin himself.
Sends new forces
At the same time, Biden warns that the United States is sending additional forces to Germany to strengthen NATO’s presence in Europe. 7,000 American soldiers will be sent to Germany, but the Democrat emphasizes that they will be at war with Russia.
– Our forces are not, and will not, be involved in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine. Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies and assure them, says Biden.
The US president is speaking after holding a digital meeting earlier this Thursday with the leaders of the G7 countries – Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
“We agreed to move forward with crushing sanctions packages and other economic measures to hold Russia accountable,” Biden wrote on Twitter.
This morning, I met with my G7 counterparts to discuss President Putin’s unjustified attack on Ukraine and we agreed to move forward on devastating packages of sanctions and other economic measures to hold Russia to account. We stand with the brave people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/dzvYxj7J9w
President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022
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Biden’s speech from the White House was scheduled to be held at 6.30 pm Norwegian time, but was postponed by one hour.
In advance, Biden also held a meeting of the US National Security Council.
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