Status: 01/25/2022 10:07 p.m
If Russia actually invades Ukraine, US President Biden fears “the biggest invasion since World War II”. Sanctions against President Putin personally are also conceivable.
US President Joe Biden also believes that sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin are possible in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Yes, I could imagine that,” he said in Washington when asked by journalists. Biden also threatened Russia again with “heavy consequences” and “economic sanctions”. In the end, everything depends on what Putin decides about Ukraine.
With a massive Russian troop buildup near Ukraine, the West fears the Kremlin may be planning an invasion of the neighboring country. However, it is also considered possible that fears are only being stirred up in order to persuade the NATO countries to make concessions when demands for new security guarantees are made. Efforts to defuse the conflict have been going on for days in various talks.
Biden stressed that the US has no plans to send troops to Ukraine. He has “no intention of sending US units or NATO units to Ukraine”. On Monday, the US Department of Defense had put 8,500 soldiers on increased alert in view of the Ukraine crisis. They could be relocated to Eastern Europe.
Warning of “biggest invasion since World War II”
According to Biden, a Russian invasion of Ukraine could become the “biggest invasion since World War II.” Such a step would “change the world,” warned the US President. Referring to Putin, Biden said he was “continuing to expand the troop presence along the Ukrainian border.” When asked, Biden added that it was still unclear whether Putin was actually planning an attack. “I’ll be perfectly honest with you: It’s a bit like reading coffee grounds.”
NATO wants to reply to Moscow in writing
NATO intends to reply in writing to the demands made by Russia this week. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on the US broadcaster CNN that the proposals for a corresponding document are currently being finalized “which we will send to you in the course of this week. We will do this in parallel with the United States.”
Moscow is demanding security guarantees from NATO and the USA. The Western states, in turn, are demanding that Russia withdraw the troops that have been massed on the border with Ukraine.
Stoltenberg: No compromises on basic principles
Stoltenberg said it would make it clear to the Russian side “that we are ready to sit down together.” Arms control, transparency in military activities or risk reduction mechanisms could be discussed. They are also willing to listen to Russian concerns. “But we are not prepared to compromise on the basic principles.”
This includes the right of every nation in Europe to decide for itself which alliances it wants to join. Russia is demanding an end to NATO’s eastward expansion and wants in particular to prevent Ukraine from becoming part of the western defense alliance.