Russia-Ukraine conflict: Biden says Putin will 'pay huge price'
United States President Joe Biden criticized Russia for its actions in Ukraine and said Russian President Vladimir Putin will "pay a huge price over the long run." Delivering the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Biden vowed to "inflict pain" on Putin after Russia invaded Ukraine last week. Biden also spoke about western economic sanctions and celebrated the courage of the Ukrainian people.
Biden's show of solidarity with Ukrainian people
Biden first called for a show of solidarity with Ukraine. The US Congress then gave a standing ovation to Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova. Biden said that Putin "miscalculated" when he launched an invasion of Ukraine last Thursday and "thought... the world would roll over." "He met a wall of strength..." he said, referring to the Ukrainian people.
Russian dictator invading foreign country has costs: Biden
Putin may surround Kyiv with tanks, but will never win Ukrainian hearts and weaken the resolve of the free world, Biden said. "A Russian dictator invading a foreign country has costs around the world," he said. Biden further said a US task force will act against the "crimes" of Russian oligarchs "to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets."
What is the US doing to help end war?
Apart from economic sanctions, Biden announced that the American airspace is now shut to all Russian flights, taking a stand against Russia's "premeditated and totally unprovoked" assault on Ukraine. He said America and its allies will defend "every inch of NATO territory" in the event that Russian forces continue proceeding west toward Europe. However, he said US troops will not be deployed in Ukraine.
What is happening in Ukraine?
Ukraine has said that at least 350 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed since the Russian invasion. Russia says it is not targeting civilians and accused Ukraine of using "human shields." However, reports and visuals from the ground show Russian shelling targeting residential complexes, administrative buildings, and a hospital. Explosions were heard in Kyiv and Bila Tserkva late on Tuesday.
Fears of attack on Kyiv grow
There are fears among the international community that Russia may lead an attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, which is home to 2.8 million people. Satellite footage showed a 64-km-long Russian military convoy approaching Kyiv. India has asked its nationals to leave the city urgently.
ICJ probe into Russia's actions; EU supplies arms to Ukraine
The International Criminal Court has opened an investigation into Russia's "war crimes" as alleged by Ukraine. In a first, the European Union agreed to supply arms to Ukraine. Western sanctions are starting to impact Russia's economy as the ruble's value slipped to record lows. At least 6.6 lakh people have left Ukraine since the conflict began, according to the UN refugee agency.
