Today in US politics
That’s it from me today, after an eventful day in Washington. Here’s how the day unfolded:
-
Joe Biden said the world is witnessing “the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine”, as Vladimir Putin ordered troops into east Ukraine. In his speech this afternoon, Biden argued that Putin’s recognition of the two self-proclaimed territories in Luhansk and Donetsk represented “a flagrant violation of international law”.
- Biden announced the first round of US sanctions against Russia in response to Putin’s military actions in Ukraine. The sanctions will target Russia’s financial institutions, sovereign debt and elite families. “And if Russia goes further with this invasion, we stand prepared to go further as with sanctions,” Biden said.
- Biden is also deploying US forces and equipment to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to help fortify those countries’ defenses. “Let me be clear, these are totally defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia,” Biden said. “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.”
- Some Republicans criticized Biden’s sanctions as an insufficient response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. “The sanctions outlined are woefully inadequate to deter Putin’s efforts to redraw the European map and dismember a neighboring democracy,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. “I will continue to try to work with the Biden administration and Senate Democrats to create crippling sanctions for Putin’s invasion.”
- Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers granted Putin permission to use force outside the country, which could clear the way for a broader attack on Ukraine. “Whatever Russia does next, we’re ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction,” Biden said this afternoon. “I’m hoping diplomacy is still available.”
The US politics blog will return tomorrow with more updates from Washington. Until then, make sure to follow the Guardian’s live blog on the Ukraine crisis:
Updated
National security council officials are expected to soon brief congressional leaders and committee staff on the first round of US sanctions against Russia, according to NBC News.
NEW: After President Biden's speech today announcing the first tranche of sanctions against Russia, NSC staff will brief Congressional leadership and committee staff at 5:30 today on the sanctions, per two senior Senate staff and a White Hoise official w/ @carolelee
— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) February 22, 2022
In his remarks this afternoon, Joe Biden said the first round of sanctions in response to Vladimir Putin’s military actions in east Ukraine would target Russian financial institutions, sovereign debt and elite families.
Updated
Joe Biden held a virtual event this afternoon to discuss strengthening America’s supply chains and bolstering clean-energy manufacturing in the US.
The president made a brief mention of the Ukraine crisis before moving on to the topic at hand. While greeting the president, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was “impressed” Biden was still holding the meeting, given everything else happening today.
“We don’t have much going on -- you know, other than Russia and Ukraine,” Biden joked.
As they were escorted out of the meeting, several reporters tried to ask Biden questions about his administration’s response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, but the president again declined to answer.
Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing Joe Biden’s response to Vladimir Putin’s military actions in Ukraine, arguing that the administration’s newly announced sanctions are “woefully inadequate”.
“This is a critical moment in history…..and President Biden is NOT seizing the moment,” said Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator and an ally of Donald Trump.
“The sanctions outlined are woefully inadequate to deter Putin’s efforts to redraw the European map and dismember a neighboring democracy.”
This is a critical moment in history…..and President Biden is NOT seizing the moment.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) February 22, 2022
The sanctions outlined are woefully inadequate to deter Putin’s efforts to redraw the European map and dismember a neighboring democracy.
Graham promised that he would continue to work with his Senate colleagues and the White House to “create crippling sanctions for Putin’s invasion”.
Speaking to reporters in his home state of South Carolina earlier today, Graham similarly warned that Biden’s handling of the Ukraine crisis so far would only encourage Putin to invade further.
“Right now, Mr President, you’re playing footsie with Putin and you’re losing,” Graham said. “He’s walking all over you and our allies.
The White House has also shared a photo of Joe Biden’s meeting today with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, on the need to protect Ukrainian sovereignty.
The photo shows the two men shaking hands in the Oval Office:
Today, @POTUS met with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to update him on the U.S. response to Russia’s actions. pic.twitter.com/OyHMyBkKfi
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 22, 2022
According to the White House readout of the meeting, Biden used the meeting with Kuleba to “reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“President Biden reiterated the readiness of the United States, in close cooperation with our allies and partners, to respond swiftly and decisively to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the White House said.
Updated
Joe Biden has attracted some support from his Democratic allies in Congress after announcing the first round of US sanctions on Russia in response to Vladimir Putin’s military maneuvers in Ukraine.
“I support @POTUS imposing sanctions for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren said on Twitter.
“Together with our NATO allies and international partners, the United States should continue using all diplomatic, political, and economic tools to stop further Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people.”
I support @POTUS imposing sanctions for Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Together with our NATO allies and international partners, the United States should continue using all diplomatic, political, and economic tools to stop further Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 22, 2022
Joe Biden met today with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, as Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into east Ukraine after two independent republics were proclaimed there.
“President Biden updated Foreign Minister Kuleba on the United States’ response to Russia’s decision to recognize the purported ‘independence’ of the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine, including the Executive Order issued last night and new sanctions announced today,” the White House said in its readout of the meeting.
Biden signed an executive order yesterday barring any investment or financing by Americans in the two east Ukraine regions, and he has since announced the first round of US sanctions on Russia in response to Putin’s military maneuvers.
“He also affirmed that the United States would continue providing security assistance and macroeconomic support to Ukraine,” the White House said of Biden’s meeting with Kuleba.
“President Biden reiterated the readiness of the United States, in close cooperation with our allies and partners, to respond swiftly and decisively to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Updated
Despite Joe Biden’s assessment that Russia has started its invasion of Ukraine, the president said there is “still time to avert the worst-case scenario”.
The US and its allies remain open to a diplomatic solution even as the White House announces its first round of sanctions on Russia, Biden said.
“When all is said and done, we’re going to judge Russia by its actions, not its words. And whatever Russia does next, we’re ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction,” Biden said. “I’m hoping diplomacy is still available.”
With that, Biden concluded his prepared remarks and walked away from the podium without taking any of reporters’ shouted questions.
President Biden: "When all is said and done we're going to judge Russia by its actions, not its words. Whatever Russia does next, we're ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction...I'm hoping diplomacy is still available." pic.twitter.com/yYMQqhlR7B
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 22, 2022
Joe Biden said the US would continue to provide defensive assistance to Ukraine, as Russia moves troops into the country’s eastern region, where two independent republics have been proclaimed.
Biden also announced that US forces and equipment currently stationed in Europe would be deployed to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to help fortify those country’s defenses.
“Let me be clear, these are totally defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia,” Biden said.
“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.”
Joe Biden acknowledged that the newly announced sanctions on Russia may result in higher gas prices for Americans, and he pledged to work to limit the financial impact on average families.
“Defending freedom will have costs for us as well and here at home. We need to be honest about that,” Biden said.
President Biden: "Defending freedom will have costs for us as well and here at home. We need to be honest about that." pic.twitter.com/C3rnyZ894Y
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 22, 2022
He added, “But as we do this, I’m going to take robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions is targeted at the Russian economy, not ours.”
Biden said his administration was closely monitoring energy supplies to prepare for any potential disruption and coordinating with oil producers to help mitigate price hikes.
“I want to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump,” Biden said. “This is critical to me.”
Joe Biden noted that the sanctions his administration will issue against Russia will be much more severe than those enacted after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
“And if Russia goes further with this invasion, we stand prepared to go further as with sanctions,” Biden said.
The US president argued that Vladimir Putin’s recognition of the two self-proclaimed republics in east Ukraine represented “a flagrant violation of international law” and demanded 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 neighbors?” Biden said.
Biden announces 'first tranche' of sanctions on Russia
Joe Biden has announced he will enact the “first tranche” of sanctions on Russia in response to Vladimir Putin’s recognition of two self-proclaimed republics in east Ukraine and his decision to move troops into the region.
The president said the US would impose sanctions on Russian financial institutions, sovereign debt and the country’s elites and their family members.
“They share in the corrupt games of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well,” Biden said of the sanctions on Russia’s elite families.
President Biden: "This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine...so I am going to begin to impose sanctions in response." pic.twitter.com/OZjeHMa7b1
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 22, 2022
Updated
Biden begins speech on Russia and Ukraine
Joe Biden has now appeared at the podium in the East Room for his speech on Russia and Ukraine, after Vladimir Putin acknowledged the two self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk and ordered troops into the region.
The US president warned that Putin is “setting up a rationale to go much further” in Ukraine, predicting a larger-scale attack in the days to come.
“This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Biden said.
White House pool reporters are now in the East Room for Joe Biden’s remarks on Russia and Ukraine, which were originally supposed to start more than an hour ago. Stay tuned.
Waiting for @POTUS to speak on Russia/Ukraine in the White House’s East Room pic.twitter.com/PxTBpB4Vw8
— Sebastian Smith (@SebastianAFP) February 22, 2022
Democrat Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, argued that Joe Biden needs to enact severe sanctions on Russia in response to Vladimir Putin’s latest maneuvers in eastern Ukraine.
“I think we can stop equivocating as to whether we have an invasion or not,” Menendez told CNN this afternoon. “I think the West, the United States has to make it very clear to Putin that the consequences begin now.”
Menendez argued it was crucial for the US and its allies to enact sanctions on Russian banks, Russian oligarchs and Russian sovereign debt, among other entities.
“Those are just some of the beginning salvos that I think would need to be done,” Menendez said. “Because unless the West this time acts resolutely, strongly and decisively, we will have repeats of 2008 and 2014 with Putin.”
It’s unclear when Joe Biden will actually begin his speech on Russia and Ukraine, which was originally supposed to start at 1pm ET.
A White House official told the press pool, “We are holding on gathering. Please wait for an update from us. Thank you.”
The White House press briefing, which is currently scheduled to start at 2.30pm ET, may get pushed back as well. Stay tuned.
Joe Biden appears to be running late for his remarks on Russia and Ukraine, which were supposed to start about 20 minutes ago.
The White House has also announced that press secretary Jen Psaki’s daily briefing has now been pushed back to 2.30pm ET. She will be joined by deputy national security advisor Daleep Singh.
The blog will have updates and analysis of Biden’s speech once it begins, so stay tuned.
Is Russia invading Ukraine and what will happen next?
The Russian president has recognised the independence of two Russian-controlled territories in east Ukraine. They call themselves the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. The territories have been armed, financed and politically controlled by Russia since 2014. But until this week, Russia still recognised them as part of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin has now sent his military on a “peacekeeping mission” to Ukraine, meaning that Russia will formally occupy sovereign Ukrainian territory for a second time following the 2014 annexation of Crimea. But in this case, Russia has not annexed the territories. A document signed by Putin on Monday also allows him to establish military bases or place missiles in the territories.
Why is Putin targeting Ukraine?
- Putin has indicated that he questions Ukraine’s right to statehood, calling modern Ukraine an artificial construct of the Soviet Union. He also sees Russians and Ukrainians as “one people”.
- Putin thinks that a western-leaning Ukraine is dangerous for Russia. He has called the possibility of Nato membership for Ukraine a “red line”.
- Putin wants to show that popular revolutions such as the one that took place in Kyiv in 2014 do not succeed in the long run. That helps to prop up his own rule in Russia.
What might happen next?
The decision marks the end of the Minsk peace deal, that would have left the territories in Ukraine.
Russia’s military is likely to make a formal entrance into the territories soon. Its troops and vehicles have secretly taken part in the fighting since 2014, in which more than 14,000 people have died, but this deployment will probably be much larger. Moscow will now threaten Ukraine with a broader war if it continues to fight the “separatists”, telling Kyiv Russia is now obliged by treaty to defend them from attack.
Russia could also justify a further invasion by recognising the claims of the separatist governments. They include the large city of Mariupol. If Russia recognises expanded borders, it may order its troops to begin an offensive against the Ukrainian army.
That could be a prelude to a broader conflict. Russia has gathered up to 190,000 troops and is positioned to launch an attack that could threaten the capital, Kyiv, and much of the country. An offensive of that size has not been seen in Europe since the second world war.
Full story:
We also have a statement on Ukraine from Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate minority leader. It’s much more respectful of Biden than the remarks by Lindsey Graham, reported below.
Interesting (ish) sidenote: Joe Biden still calls McConnell a friend, despite the Republican’s ruthless approach to partisan politics which has included such highlights as committing to making Barack Obama (Biden’s old boss, lest we forget) a “one-term president” and blocking Obama’s pick, Merrick Garland, from even a hearing for a supreme court seat.
Biden does not still call Graham a friend, because of Graham’s loyal support for Donald Trump through thick and thin.
Anyway, in his statement on Ukraine, McConnell condemns Vladimir Putin and says “all the free nations of the world will be affected if [his] aggression is allowed to stand unchallenged”.
“The world is watching,” McConnell says. “Our allies, our adversaries, and neutral countries will all judge the west by our response – and plan their futures accordingly.”
Putin, McConnell says, “must be made to pay a far heavier price than he paid for his previous invasions of Georgia and Ukraine. This should begin, but not end, with devastating sanctions against the Kremlin and its enablers. The president should waste no time in using his extensive existing authorities to impose these costs.”
McConnell also wants Nato and EU actions. He welcomes Germany suspending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which he says “must be turned into permanent cancellation”.
McConnell praises Ukraine for standing up to Russia, and concludes: “The United States and our allies across the world must fully acknowledge the growing threats posed by decades of Chinese and Russian military modernisation. We need to rebuild our atrophied ability to deter and defend against aggression by these adversaries. That means we must invest more robustly in our own military capabilities to keep pace. Our budgets have to reflect reality.
“America and its partners are strongest when we act together, but the collective response to these threats must be led by Washington, by President Biden and his administration.”
More on Biden and McConnell:
Graham: Biden is 'playing footsie with Putin'
Republicans in Congress have plenty of advice or abuse for Joe Biden over how he’s handling the Ukraine crisis. Of course they do.
Here’s Lindsey Graham, senator from the great state of South Carolina, this morning: “You said a couple of years ago that [Vladimir] Putin does not want you to win, because you’re the only person that could go toe to toe with him.
“Right now, Mr President, you’re playing footsie with Putin and you’re losing. He’s walking all over you and our allies. We have too many Neville Chamberlains in this world. We need more [Winston] Churchills.”
Here, for what it’s worth, is our review of Munich: The Edge of War, the new film based on a Robert Harris thriller in which Chamberlain, the British prime minister who appeased Adolf Hitler, is played by Jeremy Irons.
More from Graham:
“The administration has pushed back against bipartisan sanctions legislation that had pre-invasion consequences to Putin that were really tough on the oil and gas sector, believing that if we did that up front, it would be a provocation that would make him more likely to invade. The administration has misjudged Putin about as badly as anyone since the world misjudged Hitler.”
Today so far
Here’s where the day stands so far:
- Joe Biden will deliver remarks on Ukraine and Russia at 1pm ET. The US president’s speech comes after Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would move troops into eastern Ukraine, following the Kremlin’s recognition of the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk.
- Biden is facing calls from Democrats and Republicans to enact harsh sanctions against Russia. Biden has repeatedly promised that Russia will suffer severe economic consequences if Putin gave the order to invade, and lawmakers have said now is the time to follow through on those threats.
- The White House is now describing Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine as an “invasion,” after US officials initially seemed hesitant to use that word yesterday. The principal deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, told CNN this morning, “We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Lawmakers give Putin permission to use force outside Russia
Vladimir Putin has now received permission from lawmakers to use force outside Russia, which could clear the way for a broader attack on Ukraine.
The AP reports:
Several European leaders said earlier in the day that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Putin recognized their independence. But it was unclear how large the movements were, and Ukraine and its Western allies have said Russian troops have been fighting in the region since the separatist conflict erupted in 2014. Moscow denies those allegations.
Members of the upper house, the Federation Council, voted unanimously to allow Putin to use military force outside Russia — effectively formalizing a Russian military deployment to the rebel regions, where an eight-year conflict has killed nearly 14,000 people.
Joe Biden will likely address those latest developments when he delivers his speech on Russia and Ukraine in about an hour. The US president may also outline new sanctions on Russia in response to the movement of troops into eastern Ukraine. Stay tuned.
Schedule change: Joe Biden is now expected to deliver his remarks on Russia and Ukraine at 1pm ET, instead of 2pm ET as the White House initially announced.
The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, was originally scheduled to hold her daily briefing at 2pm ET, but it’s unclear whether the timing of that will change to accommodate Biden’s speech.
The president is also scheduled to participate in a virtual event at 3.30pm ET to discuss strengthening US supply chains and bolstering clean-energy manufacturing. Stay tuned.
Biden to deliver remarks on Ukraine this afternoon
Joe Biden will deliver a speech this afternoon on Russia’s latest maneuvers in eastern Ukraine and America’s potential responses to Vladimir Putin’s actions.
The White House has just announced that Biden will provide an update on Russia and Ukraine at 2pm ET in the East Room.
The speech comes as members of both parties are urging Biden to follow through on his repeated threats to enact severe sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine.
Senior administration officials seemed hesitant yesterday to describe Russia’s planned troop movement into eastern Ukraine as an “invasion,” but that stance appears to have shifted today.
The principal deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, told CNN this morning, “We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine.”
Supreme court formally rejects Trump's request to block access to January 6 records
The supreme court has formally rejected Donald Trump’s request to block the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection from accessing his White House records related to the attack.
The court announced in its latest list of orders that it would not take up Trump’s appeal to a lower-court ruling allowing the select committee access to the documents.
BREAKING: SCOTUS has officially denied Donald Trump's call for Supreme Court review of the Jan. 6 select committee's bid for his White House records.https://t.co/svb9KaPTk9 pic.twitter.com/QUNJkvwKEd
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 22, 2022
The news comes one month after the supreme court rejected Trump’s emergency motion to block the release of the documents as his case regarding executive privilege claims made its way through the courts.
The court’s January ruling cleared the way for the select committee to start receiving Trump White House documents, and they have already started combing through the records.
Vladimir Putin’s angry and rambling hour-long potted history of Ukraine’s failings on Monday night, culminating in a commitment to recognise the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Luhansk, left western diplomats scratching their heads and wondering whether they had been made redundant.
The Russian president not only said he would recognise Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, rendering eight years of negotiations over their future pointless, but he also signalled that Russia could not tolerate an independent Ukraine on its borders. Nato was hardly mentioned. His target at one point seemed to be the Bolsheviks, for relinquishing land to the nationalists.
The lecture was a far cry from a statement from Emmanuel Macron’s office 24 hours earlier saying the French and Russian leaders had “made firm commitments to carry out all useful actions to avoid escalation, reduce risks and preserve peace”.
Following the logic of Putin’s speech, it seems only a matter of time before a full invasion of Ukraine to reunite the two peoples will have to take place. Russia, viewed through this lens, cannot face the risk of assault from Ukrainian territory. The “puppet regime” will have to be removed.
The principal deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, emphasized the White House’s assessment that Russia’s latest actions in Ukraine qualify as an invasion.
“We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” Finer told CNN in an interview this morning.
"An invasion is an invasion and that is what is under way," says WH Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer as Putin orders troops into Eastern Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/yvRfZJGqBY
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) February 22, 2022
Finer made a point to note that the White House views the order to move Russian troops into eastern Ukraine as the Kremlin’s latest incursion into the neighboring country.
The deputy national security adviser described the troop movement as an extension of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“I think ‘latest’ is important here,” Finer said. “An invasion is an invasion, and that is what is underway, but Russia has been invading Ukraine since 2014.”
White House acknowledges Russian invasion of Ukraine
The White House is now describing Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine as an “invasion,” even though US officials appeared hesitant to use that word yesterday.
The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, acknowledged the invasion in a tweet that praised Germany for halting the approval process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
“@POTUS made clear that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would act with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward,” Psaki said. “We have been in close consultations with Germany overnight and welcome their announcement. We will be following up with our own measures today.”
@POTUS made clear that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would act with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward. We have been in close consultations with Germany overnight and welcome their announcement. We will be following up with our own measures today.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) February 22, 2022
In a background press call yesterday, a senior administration official tiptoed around questions on whether Russia’s latest maneuvers qualified as an invasion, saying the White House is focused on Vladimir Putin’s actions rather than words.
“As has been the case throughout this crisis, we are going to assess what Russia does and not focus on what Russia says,” the official told reporters.
“We’ve taken a number of actions today, including the president’s executive order. We’ve indicated that we have further actions to take tomorrow. Beyond that, I’m not going to get into any more details.”
Germany halts Nord Stream 2 approval
Germany has stopped the certification process for the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in reaction to Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk in east Ukraine, chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced.
Germany’s energy minister, Robert Habeck, on Tuesday morning instructed the withdrawal of a security of supply assessment granted under Angela Merkel’s tenure, which is required to authorise the pipeline between Russia and Germany.
“This may sound technical, but it is the necessary administrative step without which the pipeline cannot be certified,” Scholz said at a press conference in Berlin at midday. “Without this certification Nord Stream 2 cannot go into operation”.
Scholz said he has commissioned a new assessment into Germany’s energy security in the light of geopolitical developments in east Ukraine.
Biden faces calls to impose sanctions on Russia
Greetings from Washington, live blog readers.
Joe Biden is facing calls from Democrats and Republicans to impose severe sanctions on Russia following Vladimir Putin’s latest actions in Ukraine.
Putin has announced he will recognize the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk in east Ukraine, and the Russian president has already ordered troops into the region.
In response to Putin’s maneuvers, Biden signed an executive order prohibiting new investment in the region, and he has warned of further recriminations depending on Russia’s next moves.
Russia has invaded Ukraine. The Biden Administration and our allies must impose full set of crippling sanctions now.
— Rep. Liz Cheney (@RepLizCheney) February 21, 2022
But Putin’s actions have already sparked calls from members of both US political parties to move forward with the harsh sanctions that Biden has repeatedly promised to issue in the event of an invasion.
“Russia has invaded Ukraine. The Biden Administration and our allies must impose full set of crippling sanctions now,” said Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Senator Chris Coons, one of Biden’s top congressional allies, added, “The time for taking action to impose significant costs on President Putin and the Kremlin starts now.”
Biden may give a clearer indication today regarding when sanctions will be issued. Stay tuned.
