Russia's military operation against Ukraine is groundless, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is the aggressor who chose war.
This was stated by U.S. President Joe Biden.
"Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences," Biden said, laying out a set of measures that will "impose a severe cost on the Russian economy, both immediately and over time."
According to him, Putin destroyed all the good that Western partners have been building for so long regarding negotiations, mutual assistance, and attempts to reduce tensions.
The U.S. has announced sanctions against VTB and three other state-owned banks and "corrupt billionaires" and their families who are close to the Kremlin.
For Russian business, the ability to conduct operations in dollars and euros, as well as yen and pounds will be limited.
The new sanctions also include export blocks on technology, a centerpiece of Biden's approach that he said would severely limit Russia's ability to advance its military and aerospace sector.
And he announced a new deployment of ground and air forces to NATO's eastern flank, even as he reiterated US troops would not engage in direct conflict in Ukraine.
"Our forces are not and will not be engaged in the conflict," he said. "Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine but defend our NATO allies and reassure those allies in the east."
At the same time, U.S. troops will not participate in the conflict in Ukraine.
According to Biden, Putin attacked the principles of peaceful existence on the planet. This, according to him, is overt aggression. He stressed that he does not want to talk to the President of Russia now.
Russia will not be disconnected from SWIFT yet, although this option remains, but Biden believes that the effect of the sanctions already imposed will be equal.