U.S. President Joe Biden also says he has ordered troops and equipment to be transferred from elsewhere in Europe to reinforce the Baltic.
President of the United States Joe Biden today announced sanctions against Russia as a result of the recognition of the rebel territories of eastern Ukraine as independent.
According to Biden, the case can be interpreted as meaning that Russia has now begun to invade Ukraine. Biden says the president Vladimir Putin the operation is a flagrant violation of international law.
– in the name of the Lord, from whom Putin thinks he has obtained the right to declare new so-called lands in the territory belonging to [Venäjän] to a neighbor? Biden says.
Sanctions target two major Russian banks, VEB and Promsvjazbank. In addition, they target the Russian elite with their family members. The United States is also imposing sanctions on Russia’s sovereign debt. According to Biden, sanctions will prevent Russia from entering Western financial markets.
Biden also says the United States is working with Germany to prevent the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project from progressing. Germany announced earlier today that it had frozen the project.
The United States has previously imposed sanctions on the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
Further reinforcement in the Baltics
As Russia has not withdrawn its troops from Belarus, the president says he has ordered additional troops and equipment to the Baltic countries to reinforce NATO forces. According to Biden, these forces are already in place in Europe.
– These are completely defensive transfers, Biden says.
The United States will also continue to supply arms to Ukraine.
According to Biden, Russia can still avoid further inflammation of the situation. However, according to Biden, the United States is also ready for additional sanctions.