Washington DC: The US President Joe Biden referred to Russia’s recognition of two regions of Ukraine – Donetsk and Lugansk – as independent states, and said on February 22, 2022 (February 23 IST), “to put it simply, Russia just announced that it is carving out a big chunk of Ukraine…This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine”.
“Last night, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin authorized Russian forces to deploy into these regions. Today, he asserted that these regions actually extend deeper than the two areas he recognized, claiming large areas currently under the jurisdiction of the Ukraine government. He’s setting up a rationale to take more territory by force, in my view. And if we listen to his speech last night — and many of you did, I know — he’s — he’s setting up a rationale to go much further,” Biden said. He further pointed out that President Putin has sought authorization from the Russian parliament to use military force outside of Russian territory. “And this set the stage for further pretexts and further provocations by Russia to try to justify further military action. None of us — none of us should be fooled. None of us will be fooled. There is no justification. Further Russian assault into Ukraine remains a severe threat in the days ahead. And if Russia proceeds, it is Russia, and Russia alone, that bears the responsibility,” he warned.
In response to Russia’s admission that it will not withdraw its forces from Belarus, Biden further authorized additional movements of U.S. forces and equipment already stationed in Europe to strengthen the Baltic Allies — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Also read: World feels edgy after Russia’s stern stance on Ukraine
“Let me be clear: These are totally defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia. We want to send an unmistakable message, though, that the United States, together with our Allies, will defend every inch of NATO territory and abide by the commitments we made to NATO,” he said.
Biden also announced the first tranche of sanctions to impose costs on Russia which had been closely coordinated with the US Allies and partners in response to what he claimed, “Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states”. He said the US will continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates.
“We’re implementing full blocking sanctions on two large Russian financial institutions: V.E.B. and their military bank, ” the US President said and further announced implementing comprehensive sanctions on Russian sovereign debt, which meant he had cut off Russia’s government from Western financing. Russia can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our markets or European markets either.
It may be mentioned that the fifth-largest Russian financial institution, V.E.B. holds more than $50 billion in assets. The Russian military bank, Promsvyazbank, holds $35 billion in assets that finances the activities of the Russian military. After the sanctions, these banks can no longer make any transactions with the US nor with Europe, as Europe matched the US actions, and the assets of these banks in their respective financial systems will be frozen. These two largest Russian financial institutions collectively hold almost $750 billion in assets — or more than half of the total in the Russian banking system.
“Starting today and continuing in the days ahead, we will also impose sanctions on Russia’s elites and their family members. They share in the corrupt gains of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well,” Biden said.
The USA also ensured with Germany that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia does not move forward. Germany on February 22, 2022, already took steps to halt the process of certifying the 1,230-kilometre-long natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, running from Russia to Germany, as a punitive measure against Russia. The pipeline is filled with gas but awaiting approval by Germany and the European Commission.
Nord Stream 2 is an $11 billion investment in a prized gas pipeline controlled by Russia and the US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics and Deputy National Electrical Code (NEC) Director Daleep Singh told media persons in Washington that will now go to waste, and it sacrifices what would have been a cash cow for Russia’s coffers. “But it’s not just about the money. This decision will relieve Russia’s geostrategic chokehold over Europe through its supply of gas, and it’s a major turning point in the world’s energy independence from Russia,” he said.
Russia’s former president, Dmitry Medvedev, ridiculed Germany’s decision and warned that the decision to halt certification of the pipeline would mean that Europeans will very soon have to shell out 2,000 euros for 1.000 cubic meters of natural gas!”
Biden said his administration was using every tool at its disposal to protect American businesses and consumers from rising prices at the pump. “As I said last week, defending freedom will have costs for us as well, here at home. We need to be honest about that,” he said and added that he was closely monitoring energy supplies for any disruption. “We’re executing a plan in coordination with major oil-producing consumers and producers toward a collective investment to secure stability and global energy supplies. This will blunt gas prices. I want to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump. This is critical to me,” he said.
Biden further said that as Russia contemplates its next move, “we have our next move prepared as well”. He warned that Russia will pay an even steeper price if it continues its aggression, including additional sanctions.
The United States will continue to provide defensive assistance to Ukraine in the meantime and will continue to reinforce and reassure its NATO Allies, he added.
Hitting hard at Putin for declaring the two regions, Donetsk and Lugansk, as independent states, Biden said this was a “flagrant violation” of international law, and required a firm response from the international community. “Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbours?” he asked.
“We still believe that Russia is poised to go much further in launching a massive military attack against Ukraine…There are still well over 150,000 Russian troops surrounding Ukraine. And as I said, Russian forces remain positioned in Belarus to attack Ukraine from the north, including warplanes and offensive missile systems. Russia has moved troops closer to Ukraine’s border with Russia. Russia’s naval vessels are manoeuvring in the Black Sea to Ukraine’s south, including amphibious assault ships, missile cruisers, and submarines. Russia has moved supplies of blood and medical equipment into position on their border. You don’t need blood unless you plan on starting a war,” Biden said.
– global bihari bureau
