Biden Ukraine speech today NEWS – Russia and Putin hit with new sanctions after declaring war and invading regions
PRESIDENT Joe Biden spoke at the White House this afternoon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine got underway overnight.
President Biden addressed the nation and announced further sanctions against Russia, including freezing major Russian banks.
"Putin will bear the consequences," of this attack, President Biden said, adding that "for weeks, we have been warning that this would happen."
The speech comes after Putin declared war on the neighboring nation overnight, and unleashed his terrifying arsenal with a full-scale assault on the country.
The tyrant declared a “special military operation” in Ukraine with a dawn raid after months of amassing his forces on the border and brazenly lying to the world about his plans to invade.
His full-scale invasion of Ukraine seems to be part of a plan to rebuild the former Soviet Union.
Read our Joe Biden speech live blog for the latest news and updates...
'A pariah on the international stage'
"Putin's aggression against Ukraine will end up costing Russia dearly, economically and strategically," President Biden said during his speech on Thursday.
"We will make sure of that. Putin will be a pariah on the international stage."
"When the history of this area is written, Putin's choice to make a totally unjustifiable war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger," the president continued.
"Liberty, democracy, human dignity: these are the forces far more powerful than fear and oppression. They cannot be extinguished by tyrants like Putin and his armies."
"They cannot be erased from people's hearts and hopes by any amount of violence and intimidation. They endure," Biden added.
Biden on China getting involved
President Joe Biden wouldn't comment on Thursday when asked by a reporter about whether or not China would help isolate Russia in the wake of the attacks in Ukraine.
After his afternoon speech on the situation and sanctions against Russia, a reporter directly asked the President, "Are you urging China to help isolate Russia?"
"I'm not prepared to comment on that at the moment," Biden replied.
'Severe and immediate economic costs'
The White House website released a fact sheet on the sanctions and export controls against Russia following President Biden's speech.
"Today, the United States, along with Allies and partners, is imposing severe and immediate economic costs on Russia in response to Putin’s war of choice against Ukraine," the statement began.
"Today’s actions include sweeping financial sanctions and stringent export controls that will have profound impact on Russia’s economy, financial system, and access to cutting-edge technology."
The entire fact sheet can be found .
US forces won't 'engage'
"Let me say it again: Our forces are not — and will not — be engaged in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine," President Biden said during his speech.
However, he noted that the US will defend NATO allies in the region.
'Every asset they have in America'
President Biden announced in his speech on Thursday that the US will impose sanctions on four of Russia's largest banks, adding onto the two financial institutions the country sanctioned earlier this week, reported.
That means "every asset they have in America will be frozen," President Biden said.
Western allies alongside the US will additionally impose new export controls that will block more than half of Russia's high-tech imports, the outlet noted.
'Putin chose this war'
"Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war," President Biden said during his speech at the White House on Thursday.
"And now he and his country will bear the consequences."
'We stand with the brave people of Ukraine'
"This morning, I met with my G7 counterparts to discuss President Putin’s unjustified attack on Ukraine and we agreed to move forward on devastating packages of sanctions and other economic measures to hold Russia to account," President Biden on Thursday.
"We stand with the brave people of Ukraine."
Speech ended
After taking some questions from reporters, President Biden ended his speech.
In it, he laid out strong sanctions against Russia that are designed to hurt the country's economy over time.
Other countries
President Biden said they are in discussions with India about the situation, but wouldn't comment on China's involvement in the discussions when it comes to Russia.
'Complete rupture'
"There is a complete rupture right now in US and Russian relations," Biden said.
Was Putin underestimated?
"Did you underestimate Putin?" a reporter asked Biden.
"I didn't underestimate him," Biden said.
"His ambitions are completely contrary to the place that the rest of the world has arrived," he added.
What will stop Putin?
Biden was asked what will "stop Putin" after sanctions that were already in place didn't seem to work, and he said no one expected the sanctions to "prevent" what has happened, and that the effects will take time.
No plan to talk to Putin
President Biden was asked if he has any plans to speak with Putin, and he said he has "no plans" for it.
Putin has 'sinister vision'
President Biden said Putin has a "sinister vision for the future of our world," but that the United States and its allies will stand against it.
Biden promises humanitarian aid
President Biden noted that he spoke with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and that the US is ready to provide humanitarian aid if needed.
Global energy supplies
President Biden said it will release additional barrels of oil if needed, as part of a plan to protect global energy supplies to try to keep gas prices from spiking due to the attacks in Ukraine by Russia.
Protecting NATO allies
President Biden said the United States will help NATO allies in the wake of the attacks in Ukraine.
NATO meeting Friday
President Biden announced that NATO will meet Friday to discuss a path forward after the attacks in Ukraine.
Cutting off imports
The United States and some of its allies are cutting off "more than half" of Russia's tech imports as part of sanctions against the country.
"And we're preparing to do more," Biden said.
US freezing Russian banks
President Biden announced that the United States is freezing four more major Russian banks as part of sanctions against the country following the attacks in Ukraine.
Bearing the consequences
"Putin will bear the consequences," of this attack, President Biden said.
He revealed that Russia's largest bank is being cut off from the US financial system.
'Putin is the aggressor'
"Putin is the aggressor," Biden said.
He announced that the United States is putting more sanctions into place against Russia.
'We have been warning that this would happen'
"For weeks, we have been warning that this would happen," Biden said.
He noted that when the UN Security Council was meeting, Russia's attack began "within moments."
'This is a premeditated attack'
President Biden did not mince words when he began his speech, stating immediately that Russia's actions were "a premeditated attack."
Biden set to speak soon
President Biden will speak about the situation in Ukraine and how the US plans to respond to Russia's attacks there soon.