The Biden Administration is concerned about the preparation of the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian border for invasion. In order to reduce tensions, retaliatory steps are being prepared, in particular, they plan to consider the possibility of direct sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The situation around Ukraine and further steps were commented on by U.S. President Joe Biden and his spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Warning that Russia’s invasion would prompt "enormous consequences" and even "change the world," President Joe Biden said he would consider adding direct sanctions on Putin to a raft of measures being drawn up.
"Yes. I would see that," Biden said when asked by reporters in Washington about targeting the Russian president, whom opponents have long accused of holding gigantic, secret wealth.
According to the American leader, although tensions persist in the region, the United States does not plan to send troops directly to Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO, being committed to the inviolability of the North Atlantic Alliance. At the same time, the United States advocates the imposition of direct sanctions against Putin.
According to Psaki, the United States is working through NATO to strengthen support in the eastern flank countries.
"We would prefer the path of diplomacy, but we cannot foresee Putin's thoughts, and we certainly see aggressive actions and preparations for actions on the border... The president (ed. - USA) has neither intention nor desire to send troops to Ukraine," said the White House spokeswoman.
Currently, the attention of the U.S. leadership is focused on diplomacy, as well as on interaction with leaders, conversations with members of the national security team, she noted.
Earlier this week, NATO, against the background of the build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine, announced an increase in the readiness of its forces and the transfer of additional ships and aircraft to Eastern Europe.
Western countries have also intensified the preparation of retaliatory measures against any new military actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and are negotiating the protection of energy supply.
At the same time, Russia denies the plans to attack Ukraine, and says that the crisis is caused by the actions of the United States and NATO, and not by the build-up of Russian troops.