President Joe Biden pointed out that Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the first step of Vladimir Putin to invade that country; advanced the first sanctions against the Russian regime and trusts that the diplomatic dialogue will continue.
“I will begin to impose sanctions in response, far beyond the steps that we and our allies and partners implement in 2014″, the president said in a message at the White House, which was delayed by almost an hour. “And if Russia goes further with this invasion, we are prepared to go further with the sanctions.”
The US president said he authorized additional movements of military forces and equipment in Europe to strengthen the allies in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
“Today, In response to Russia’s admission that it will not withdraw its forces from Belarus, I authorized additional movements of US forces and equipment, already stationed in Europe, to strengthen our Baltic allies: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania,” Biden defended.
This action occurred after President Putin ordered troops in Donetsk and Luhansk, two separatist regions of Ukraine, questioning the Russian president’s decision to “declare new supposed countries in territory belonging to their neighbors.”
“This is a flagrant violation of international law and requires a firm response from the international community, he stated.
The Democrat signed that these actions are “defensive”, not attack, because – he emphasized – it is not intended to fight against Russia.
“We have no intention of fighting against Russia”, he expressed in his message after which he did not accept questions. “However, we want to send an unequivocal message: the United States, together with our allies, will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Sanctions
The president said that the first economic actions against Russia will affect two financial institutions VTB and its military bank, in addition to blocking the transfer of funds from the West, including the negotiation of debts.
“We are implementing comprehensive sanctions on Russia’s sovereign debt. That means we have cut off the government of Russia from Western funding,” he said. “It can no longer raise money from the West and it can no longer trade its new debt in our markets or in the European markets.”
In a telephone conference with an official of the National Security Council of the White House, it was indicated that the two banking institutions mentioned have at least $8, millions of dollars worth of property.
“No Russian financial institution is safe if this invasion continues,” said the official expert in economics who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The punishments announced by President Biden will also impact the elites in Russia and their families, Biden indicated, in addition to highlighting the agreement with Germany to stop the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
“We will also impose sanctions on the Russian elites and their families,” said Biden. “We have worked with Germany to ensure that Nord Stream 2 does not…continue”.
That could represent a loss of up to $11, million dollars for Russia. The Biden Administration official said in a phone call that the sanctions announced by the US president “will not affect energy supplies in the global market” and would not have an impact on the US economy either.
The White House official specified that the sanctions to families with Aleksandr Bortnikov (and his son, Denis), Sergei Kiriyenko (and his son, Vladimir), and Promsvyazbank CEO Petr Fradkov.
“These people and their relatives benefit directly from their connections with the Kremlin,” he added. “Other Russian elites and their relatives have received notice that additional measures could be taken against them.”
Happening Now: President Biden provides an update on Russia and Ukraine. https://t.co/V8cJPxz1cM
—The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 22 ,
“Twisted” position
Biden criticized Putin’s position on Ukraine, which he considered “twisted”.
“I will not go into details, nothing in Putin’s extensive comments indicates an interest in seeking a real dialogue on European security in the year 2022″ Biden lamented. “He directly attacked Ukraine’s right to exist. It indirectly threatened territory previously held by Russia, including nations that are now prosperous democracies and NATO members.”
He also considered that Putin has had “extreme” demands, but even with that vision he considers that there is a possibility of diplomacy.
“The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy if it is serious,” he said. “When all is said and done, we will judge Russia by its actions, not its words. And whatever Russia decides to do… we are ready.”