Joe Biden appeared in the East Room of the White House to deliver a national address on the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
The US president condemned Vladimir Putin’s “brutal assault on the people of Ukraine,” accusing the Russian leader of rejecting every diplomatic opportunity presented to him.
“This is a premeditated attack,” Biden said. “Vladimir Putin has been planning this for months.”
The US president said the sanctions will target four more Russian banks that were not included in the first tranche of sanctions, including VTB, the country’s second-largest bank.
“This will impose severe costs on the Russian economy both immediately and over time,” Biden said of the new sanctions.
‘Putin chose this war,’ Biden says as he announces new sanctions against Russia
Joe Biden said Vladimir Putin bears sole responsibility for the attack on Ukraine, and he announced his administration will impose more severe sanctions on Russia in response to the expanded invasion.
“Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said.
Joe Biden said US oil and gas companies “should not exploit this moment,” amid concerns that the Russian invasion of Ukraine will cause sharply higher gas prices.
The president said he would release additional barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve if necessary, as his administration closely monitors the energy industry.
“I will do everything in my power to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump,” Biden said. “But this aggression cannot go unanswered.”
Joe Biden said he was deploying more US troops to Germany in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but he emphasized that US troops would not be sent to Ukraine itself.
“Our forces are not, and will not be, engaged in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine,” Biden said.
“Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our Nato allies and reassure those allies in the east.”
Biden reiterated that the US will fight to protect every inch of Nato territory and live up to its Article 5 commitments to defend its allies in the face of escalating Russian aggression.
Joe Biden emphasized the importance of the US and its allies standing up to Russian aggression, arguing that Vladimir Putin’s military manoeuvres in Ukraine threaten freedom everywhere.
“This aggression cannot go unanswered. If it did, the consequences for America would be much worse,” Biden said. “America stands up to bullies. We stand up for freedom. This is who we are.”
