If Russian troops on the Ukrainian border launch an offensive, the US response will be harsh sanctions. No military force will be sent to help Ukraine, President Biden told reporters at the White House a day after a video meeting with his Russian counterpart Putin on the same subject.
Biden stressed that he had told the Russian leader quite frankly that the sanctions would be “unprecedented.” However, he rejected the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine: “This is not on the agenda. We have moral and legal obligations to our NATO allies under Article 5 if they are attacked, and that is a sacred duty. But this obligation does not extend to Ukraine, “the president explained.
Biden stressed that the meeting was in a polite tone, but he was completely straightforward with Putin: if Russia invades, there will be “severe sanctions and severe consequences.” He believes Putin has understood the message.
The US president also said he hoped for good news by Friday – the start of a diplomatic process to reduce tensions in the region involving Russia and other NATO allies. If all goes well, Russia’s summits will discuss NATO enlargement concerns.
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