Joe Biden rules out sending troops to Ukraine, threatens Russia with sanctions

United States
President Joe Biden, which taking a strong stance against Russia vis a vis invading
Ukraine, ruled out the participation of US troops if battle ensues but pledged
strict sanctions. Biden reportedly had a stern conversation with Russian
President Vladimir Putin laying out the consequences of invading Ukraine, which
political observers say might hurt the Russian economy.

Also Read | Ukraine says Russia’s border buildup meant to ‘provoke return fire’

White House officials
say that Biden and Putin sparred several times during the two-hour conversation
on Ukraine and the US president ended the conversation without any clarity on
whether Putin had made up his mind to invade Ukraine, CNN reported.

Following the telephonic
exchange, however, both Biden and Putin said that new diplomatic channels are
likely to open up to ease tensions between the two nations.

Also Read | Joe Biden calls European leaders ahead of his meeting with Vladimir Putin

Speaking to the
media, Joe Biden said that his Russian counterpart could see sanctions “like
none he’s ever seen” if Russian troops massed on Ukraine’s border escalate into
an assault.

Regarding US
troops going in to fight for Ukraine, Biden said, “that is not on the table”
adding, “We have a moral obligation and a legal obligation to our NATO allies
if they were to attack under Article 5, that’s a sacred obligation. That
obligation does not extend to…Ukraine.”

Also Read | What’s behind Russia-Ukraine tensions?

With regard to his
conversation with Putin, Joe Biden said, “I was very straightforward. There were
no minced words. I was polite but I made it very clear: If, in fact, he invades
Ukraine, there will be severe consequences. Severe consequences. Economic
consequences like none he’s ever seen or ever have been seen in terms of being
imposed.”

However, Biden did
add that the US may increase its troop presence in Europe to reassure NATO
allies.

Several sorts of
sanctions are being planned by the United States if Russia finally invades
Ukraine. The US may impose sanctions on members of the Russian president’s
inner circle as well as the country’s energy sector.