Joe Biden began by considering the recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions as independent as “bizarre”. Biden believes Putin intends to invade more areas of Ukraine.
“This is the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” he said.
For that reason, Biden announced that he will apply sanctions on Russia and Russian political elites, which go “beyond what the allies implemented in 2014”. “And if Russia goes ahead with this invasion we will go ahead with more sanctions”
“Who does Putin think he is to think he has the right to declare new self-proclaimed countries in territories that belong to his neighbors? This is a clear violation of international law and deserves a firm response from the international community.”
For Biden, this decision to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk is an “undeniable move” against Ukraine. For this reason, he announces that blockades will be applied to two large Russian economic groups, as well as the sale of Russian debt to Western financial groups.
“It will no longer be able to get money from the West and it cannot exchange new debt in our markets and in Europe,” he announced.
Another sanction announced is the blockade – decided together with the German Government – was the blockade of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Biden also assured that the US will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, announcing that he has authorized the military movement of soldiers – who are already on European territory – to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, countries that border Belarus, where Russia has military forces.
“Let me be clear: these are defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia. We want to send an unequivocal message: that the US together with its allies will defend every meter of NATO territory, in accordance with the agreements made.”
Biden considers that Putin is prepared for war, analyzing the military movements along the Russian-Ukraine border, Belarus-Ukraine, and the Black Sea. “We don’t need blood unless you’re thinking of creating a war,” he says, commenting on the movement of blood stocks to the border.
“None of us will be fooled. There is no justification”, says Biden, stressing that “Russia and only Russia will be held responsible” for this conflict.
Biden ended his speech by advocating he remains “open to diplomacy, if it is true”, in order to avoid a worse situation. However, he claims he will also be prepared to respond to Russia should Putin proceed with the invasion.
The US President admits that “defending freedom will have costs” for the US, but stresses that he will try to have the sanctions applied to the country imposed on Russia. He also promised to protect the country’s businesses and economy.
“He directly attacked Ukraine’s right to exist.”
Source: With Agencies