Biden Sanctions Russia After ‘Beginning of Invasion’ of Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden cut off Russia from Western financing and placed sanctions on large Russian banks in response to what he called the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in violation of international law. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine has more.

As Ukrainians braced for further Russian military action against them, President Joe Biden addressed the crisis and condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Joe Biden:

"This was the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, as he (Putin) indicated and asked permission to be able to do from his Duma.”

Biden announced a first round of sanctions targeting two Russian banks and several oligarchs, as well as other measures.

President Joe Biden:

"We're implementing comprehensive sanctions on Russian sovereign debt. That means we've cut off Russia's government from Western financing. It can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our markets or European markets either.”

Biden stressed how united NATO allies are against Russia’s aggression. He said the U.S. is working very closely with German leaders to make sure that the Nord Stream 2 oil pipeline from Russia to Germany will not move forward, echoing an earlier announcement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

After meeting with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters a potential meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week will not happen.

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State:

“Now that we see the invasion is beginning and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy, it does not make sense to go forward with that meeting at this time.”

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell also announced new sanctions on Russia, saying they will hurt Moscow a lot.

Josep Borrell, EU Foreign Policy Chief:

“Today, we have agreed that the 351 members of the Russian State Duma, who voted this violation of international law and territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, will be listed in our sanctions list."

With Russia’s parliament authorizing broader Russian military operations abroad, experts tell VOA there is no question this is a critical moment and Putin has announced his plans to destroy the status quo in Ukraine.

Michael Kimmage, German Marshall Fund:

“And that Putin is willing to pay for the destruction of that status quo a very high price, whether that's in terms of sanctions, perhaps bloodshed, the kinds of price that come with military action.”

The U.S. also announced they are sending additional forces to bolster NATO’s eastern flank.

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[CetinAmsterdam]

Its sad seeing in 2022 and it isn't North Korea images, Unfortunately it is selfish humanity like we've always been

[JogBird]

those are peacekeeping tanks and drones

[inabluemoon]

HOW DARE YOU BE FRIENDLY TO YOUR FRIENDS IN UKRIANE. I'LL SHOW YOU

[smoxesss]

gives stupid sanctions but yet still pays them daily for fuel supplies through there own banking systems
#stupidworld

[Semper_Iratus]

Let us speak of the brutal dictatorship of justin trudeau.

[ishtiakishtiagk]

America jindabad Chaudhari jindabad MulakatHamara kam ka sabse bada

[WuFluChan]

Why Russia call places that want to be independent independent? Such a bad man

[charliecostella]

We have like 40 bases around Russia and we call them the aggressors Insanity