Yesterday at 18:44
President Joe Biden said that any crossing of the Ukrainian border by Russian troops would be considered an invasion, and there would be a “tough and coordinated economic response.”
This is reported by UA with reference to the Voice of America.
“I was absolutely clear with President Putin. There are no misunderstandings between us. If any, any Russian units cross the Ukrainian border, this is an invasion. The answer will be a tough coordinated economic response, which I have discussed at length with our allies and also made very clear to Putin” – Biden said.
If Putin takes this step, Russia will pay a “high price”, Biden added.
At the same time, the US President believes that this is not the only scenario for which one must be prepared. He recalled that Russia often uses forms of aggression that are not open military actions, as well as “paramilitary tactics”, “gray zone attacks”, cyber attacks and unmarked soldiers. He remembered the occupation of Crimea by Russian troops.
“We must respond to this decisively and in a coordinated manner, with a range of tools at our disposal” – Joe Biden said.
To remind, yesterday at a press conference following the results of the year, Biden said that Russia would be held responsible in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, but this would depend on whether it was a local operation or something else. The journalist decided to clarify and asked: “Are you saying that a “minor invasion” of Ukraine will not lead to the sanctions you are threatening? You are effectively giving Putin permission to make a “small invasion”.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to Joe Biden’s words by saying that there are no minor aggressions.
“We want to remind great states that there are no minor aggressions and there are no small nations. As it happens, and minor victims and a little grief from the loss of loved ones. I say this as the president of a large state” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.
Read also: West stresses unified stance on Ukraine after Biden’s ‘minor incursion’ remark
