On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden imposed severe financial sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs, intensifying the West’s conflict with Moscow, even as the Russian parliament authorized President Vladimir Putin to employ military force outside the nation.
Biden accused Mr. Putin of flagrantly violating international law in what he dubbed the “beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine” in a brief address from the White House “and warned that additional penalties would be imposed if Putin continued.
The President joined the European Union’s 27 member states in unanimously agreeing on Tuesday to impose their own initial round of penalties against Russian officials for their activities in Ukraine.
Russia’s terms for resolving the conflict
Mr. Putin then put forth three requirements for resolving the situation, which have threatened to drag Europe back into war, threatening large casualties, energy shortages across the continent, and global economic instability.
Mr. Putin said that the conflict could be resolved if Kyiv recognized Russia’s authority over Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, renounced its NATO bid, and partially demilitarized. The West has repeatedly condemned the takeover of Crimea as a violation of international law and has categorically rejected suspending Ukraine from NATO indefinitely.
When asked if he had sent Russian troops into Ukraine and how far they may travel, Putin said, “I have not stated that the army will move there immediately.” He stated that “predicting a certain pattern of action is unrealistic –- it will depend on the concrete circumstances as it develops on the ground.” The European Union quickly followed suit, imposing the first round of penalties on 351 Russian legislators who voted in favor of recognizing separatist territories in Ukraine, as well as 27 other Russian individuals and institutions from the defense and financial sectors. Additionally, they wanted to restrict Moscow’s access to the European Union’s capital and financial markets.
Biden stated that the US has no intention of putting the military in Ukraine
Mr. Biden stated that “these are entirely defensive steps on our part” and that the US has no intention of putting the military in Ukraine, which is not a NATO member. However, Biden stated that the US and its allies “would defend every inch of NATO territory and adhere to our NATO responsibilities.” According to the organization’s mutual defense agreement, an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all members.
The White House issued an executive order prohibiting American investment and commerce with separatist regions, and other measures — presumably sanctions — were scheduled to be unveiled Tuesday. According to a senior administration source who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, such sanctions are separate from what Washington has prepared in the event of a Russian invasion.
Russia’s actions compelled Germany to halt the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 project, which intended to transport Russian natural gas. The pipeline was designed to assist Germany in meeting its energy demands, particularly as it prepares to shut down its final three nuclear power reactors and phase out coal use, and it has rejected requests to halt the project by the US and others.
United Kingdom’ Warning to Russia
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, announced that the United Kingdom would impose penalties on five Russian banks and three wealthy individuals. He warned that a full-fledged offensive would result in “additional robust measures.” Despite the widespread panic, Zelenskyy sought to project calm, declaring in an evening address: “We are not scared of anyone or anything.” We owe no one anything. And we have no intention of giving anything to anyone.” His Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is in Washington, according to the State Department, to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Russia has consistently rejected any intention to invade Ukraine, blaming the crisis on the US and its allies and characterizing Ukraine’s bid to join NATO as an existential threat to Russia. Mr. Putin echoed those charges during an hour-long televised address on Monday in which he declared Russia’s recognition of the rebels.