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Joe Biden sanctions Russia for 'beginning' an invasion of Ukraine
The Arab News reported, citng the AFP, US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced tough new sanctions on Russia for “beginning” an invasion of Ukraine but said there was still time to avoid war, even as Vladimir Putin signaled plans to send troops beyond Russia’s borders.
Russia’s upper house, the Federation Council, gave Putin unanimous approval to deploy “peacekeepers” to two breakaway Ukrainian regions now recognized by Moscow as independent, and potentially into other parts of Ukraine.
Biden announced what he called the “first tranche” of sanctions, including steps to starve Russia of financing and target financial institutions and its “elites.”
But he left the door open to a final effort at diplomacy to avert a bloody full-scale Russian invasion.
The president said: “There’s no question that Russia is the aggressor, so we’re clear eyed about the challenges we’re facing."
“Nonetheless, there is still time to avert the worst case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people.”
Boris Johnson: UK sanctions five Russian banks, three individuals including Timchenko
Biden’s address followed a wave of sanctions announced by Britain and the European Union, after Putin recognized the self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk rebel republics.
Source: arabnews
