President Joe Biden sought to deploy fiery rhetoric of his own as he addressed the nation for the third time in two weeks amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion.
“Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belongs to his neighbors?” Biden asked from the White House’s East Room. “This is flagrant violation of international law.”
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In a delayed appearance, Biden announced “the first tranche” of coordinated sanctions against Russia, tougher than those imposed after the 2014 Crimea annexation, promising that there would be more if the Kremlin continued its advance into Ukraine. The sanctions target major Russian banks, its sovereign debt, and elites and their families, with extra “defensive” troops being sent to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
“Whatever Russia does next, we’re ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction,” he said. “I’m hoping diplomacy is still available.”
“Defending freedom will have costs for us as well here at home,” he added, referencing collaborations with major oil consumers and producers. “We need to be honest about that.”
Biden did not answer questions about whether there was still an “in principle” agreement to meet with Putin, a summit that was meant to precede talks between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
Biden’s remarks follow what the president described as a “twisted” speech from Putin on Monday in which the Russian leader questioned the “statehood” of Ukraine, recognizing two Kremlin-backed separatist regions: Donetsk and Luhansk.
The White House reacted to Putin’s statement Monday by rolling out an executive order prohibiting “new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in” the two regions.
But a senior administration official told reporters the unilateral action was “not the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.”
“This wasn’t a speech just about Russia’s security,” the senior administration official said. “It was an attack on the very idea of a sovereign and independent Ukraine.”
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The White House earlier drew criticism from Democrats, such as Biden’s Delaware senatorial successor, Chris Coons, for the initial order’s limits. Aides were also critiqued for their reticence to use the word “invasion.”
