Send more “blows” to Russia, affirming a united NATO

During this trip to Europe, US President Joe Biden will announce new sanctions against Russia. (Source: AP)

New sanctions

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that during a visit to Brussels this week, President Joe Biden and his European counterparts will announce new sanctions against Russia and measures to tighten them. existing sanctions.

Mr. Sullivan said President Biden also discussed long-term adjustments to the position of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces and contingencies in the event of the use of nuclear weapons. .

Trump will announce “joint action” to strengthen energy security in Europe, which is heavily dependent on Russian gas.

The United States and its allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in response to Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, and provided billions of dollars in weapons and aid to Ukraine’s defense.

President Biden has pledged not to send US troops to Ukraine, but has promised to keep Washington’s pledge to protect NATO members if they come under attack.

The US national security adviser said that on this trip, Biden attended a number of meetings with NATO, met with G7 leaders and spoke to EU leaders at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. European copper.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr. Sullivan said: “Mr Biden will have the opportunity to coordinate on the next phase of military assistance to Ukraine. He will join our partners in imposing additional measures. sanctions against Russia and tighten existing sanctions.

Asked about the use of nuclear weapons, Mr. Sullivan said Russian President Vladimir Putin had raised “the specter” of the deployment of nuclear weapons. Mr. Sullivan said the US is monitoring the matter.

“We are constantly monitoring the possibility of that happening and of course we take it as seriously as possible. We will be consulting with our allies and partners on that situation… and discuss our potential response,” said Mr.

Earlier, President Biden on March 21 had phone calls with important European allies before attending NATO and EU summits.

The White House said President Biden spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson “to discuss their coordinated responses to the campaign.” Russian military entry into Ukraine.

Mr. Sullivan said the new sanctions will be announced on March 24 and focus on the enforcement of previous sanctions. At the same time, President Biden will also announce US contributions to ease humanitarian conditions for refugees and civilians in Ukraine, many of whom are trapped in besieged cities. .

After a stop in Brussels, the White House boss will travel to Warsaw to show support for an ally that shares a border with Ukraine. Mr. Sullivan said that in Poland, President Biden will “meet with US forces that are helping to protect NATO territory” and meet with experts in humanitarian service during war.

In addition, Mr. Sullivan said the US wants to consult with its allies on Russia’s G20 membership. “We believe that Russia’s membership in international organizations and in the international community cannot function as it should,” he said.

Mr. Sullivan asserted, the US President came to Europe “to make sure we stay united, to strengthen our common resolve, to send a strong message that we are prepared and committed to doing this. for the necessary time”.

Difficult decisions

How effective additional sanctions will be remains to be seen.

The US and UK have announced a ban on Russian oil imports. A broader ban by EU countries would mark a major escalation that will hurt Moscow as well as Western consumers. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that a large-scale oil embargo “would hurt everyone”.

Nor is there an easy path to significantly bolstering the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking for more powerful weapons, beyond anti-tank rockets and Stinger missiles.

President Biden vehemently rejected President Zelensky’s call for a no-fly zone, saying it would require the United States to confront Russia head-on.

NATO also rejected Poland’s call to send Russian-made MIG-29s to Ukraine via a US airbase. Washington says it also risks that Russia will declare NATO officially involved in the conflict.

The EU has sanctioned hundreds of Russian individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, key ministers and pro-Kremlin oligarchs.

However, imposing restrictive measures on the Russian energy sector remains extremely sensitive given the dependence of many EU countries on Russian gas.

A group of countries led by Germany want to suspend sanctions for now, amid concerns about high energy prices and fears that Russia may halt gas exports to Europe.