US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a fresh set of sanctions against Russia. The Democrat, in his address from the White House, said that no American troops will be sent to Ukraine but reaffirmed United States’ commitment to defend ‘every inch’ of NATO territory. 

“We’re also taking steps to defend our NATO allies. Particularly in the east,” the President said. 

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Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending troops and tanks from multiple directions in a move that could rewrite the world’s geopolitical landscape. 

“Tomorrow, NATO will convene a summit. We’ll be there to bring together the leaders of 30 allied nations and close partners to affirm our solidarity and to map out the next steps we will take to further strengthen all aspects of our NATO alliance,” Biden continued. 

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He further added that US forces will not be sent to Ukraine. 

“Although we provided over $650 million in defensive assistance to Ukraine… last year, let me say it again. Our forces are not and will not be engaged in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine, our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine but defend our NATO allies and reassure those allies in the east. As I made crystal clear, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power,” he said.

Biden stressted that he has no doubt that NATO members will meet Article 5 commitments, which says an attack on one is an attack on all.

President Biden described his Russian counterpart Putin as the aggressor, adding that he chose this war and the Eastern European country will face the consequences. 

The United States and its allies will block assets of four large Russian banks, impose export controls and sanction oligarchs, Biden said. 

Biden also said the U.S. will be deploying additional forces to Germany to bolster NATO after the invasion of Ukraine, which is not a member of the defense organization.