President Joe Biden announced “more than 500 new sanctions against Russia” on 23 February for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the White House reported.
24 February 2024 will mark two years since the illegal and unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 24 February 2022 at 5:30 am, Russia’s dictator Vladimir Putin announced he was “conducting a special military operation.”
In the statement released ahead of the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Biden said Putin “miscalculated badly” in launching his “vicious onslaught,” believing he could easily overcome Ukraine’s resistance. However, Biden stressed that “two years later, we see even more vividly what we’ve known since day one: Putin miscalculated badly.”
The sanctions, the US president announced, target individuals connected to the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as well as Russia’s financial sector, defense industry, and “sanctions evaders across multiple continents.”
Biden also revealed his administration is “imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia’s war machine.”
Biden also directed his team to “strengthen support for civil society, independent media, and those who fight for democracy around the world.”
“The brave people of Ukraine fight on, unbowed in their determination to defend their freedom and future,” Biden said, adding that NATO is now “stronger, larger, and more united than ever.” He also highlighted the “unprecedented 50-nation global coalition in support of Ukraine” that remains united against the Russian invasion.
Biden also implored the House of Representatives to pass legislation providing Ukraine with further military and humanitarian aid quickly. ”
“Ukraine needs more supplies from the United States to hold the line against Russia’s relentless attacks, which are enabled by arms and ammunition from Iran and North Korea,” Biden said. “That’s why the House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill before it’s too late.”
On 13 February, the US Senate passed a bill at a late-night session to provide $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with $60 billion earmarked for Ukraine. However, the House postponed until 28 February, after which the budget process will begin, and only from the first week of March at the earliest can the congressmen return to the issue of aid to Ukraine.
Biden said the bill would strengthen security for both Ukraine and the US while also standing up to Putin’s aggression. “Opposing this bill only plays into his hands,” the US president said.
“Now is the time for us to stand strong with Ukraine and unite with our Allies and partners. Now is the time to prove that the United States stands up for freedom and bows down to no one,” the US President said.
Read also:
- Biden: Lack of ammunition forces Ukraine to retreat from Avdiivka
- Biden calls for swift House approval on Ukraine, Israel aid bill
- Pentagon urges congress to approve Ukraine funding request, asserts global significance of support
