BIDEN: "Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences."
He announces "additional strong sanctions" with allies, including new limits on what can be exported to Russia; the goal is to "maximize the long-term impact on Russia."
He announces "additional strong sanctions" with allies, including new limits on what can be exported to Russia; the goal is to "maximize the long-term impact on Russia."
President Biden says new sanctions by the US and allies will "limit Russia's ability to do business in dollars, euros, pounds and yen."
Biden says the new sanctions will target additional Russian banks as well as "Russian elites and family members" and state-owned enterprises.
Biden says the new sanctions on Russia will curtail its high-tech imports, limit the country's ability to upgrade its military and degrade its aerospace industry and space program.
BIDEN: "Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies."
"The United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power."
US will meet its Article 5 commitments, he says.
"The United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power."
US will meet its Article 5 commitments, he says.
Biden: "I will do everything in my power to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump. This is critical to me." But he says Putin's aggression cannot go unanswered or the long-term harm will be greater. "America stands up to bullies. We stand up for freedom."
Biden: "This is a dangerous moment of all of Europe... Now the entire world sees clearly what Putin and his Kremlin allies are all about... It was always about naked aggression, about Putin's desire for empire... sinister vision for the future of our world."
Biden takes questions. First goes to AP. "I have no plans to talk to Putin."
Biden, asked about SWIFT banking sanctions on Russia, says it's "always an option" but it's currently "not the position" that European partners wish to take.
Biden predicts the new sanctions on Russia will "so weaken his country" that Putin will "have to make very difficult choices" about whether to change course or become a "second-rate power."
Biden: "There is a complete rupture right now in US-Russia relations if they continue on this path."
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
