President Joe Biden left for Europe on Wednesday as he seeks to further unite NATO’s allies in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war.
The President is visiting Brussels, Belgium to attend the Emergency NATO Summit, meet with the leaders of a group of seven (G-7), and attend the European Council Summit. The stated goal is to coordinate the next phase of military aid to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia.
Biden, along with its allies, will announce “long-term adjustments” to the eastern NATO stance, further US humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and new efforts to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russia’s oil.
Biden will then visit Poland, where he will meet with his leaders. The country is dealing with floods of more than 2 million refugees from Ukraine.
To date, the United States has promised billions of dollars in military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, coordinating with its allies to isolate Russia’s economy. This includes sanctions on the Russian financial system and individuals in the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The United States has also banned Russia’s oil imports and, along with other G7 countries, has moved to end Russia’s normal trade position.
When Biden departed Wednesday, he told reporters, “What I have to say is that I’ll say it when I get there,” and he’ll talk to the US media when he returns. Added.
Mr Biden said he sees the possibility of chemical warfare as a “real threat.”
This comment is in the process of going back and forth between US and Russian officials about the scope and purpose of the US-sponsored Biology Institute in Ukraine.
Biden also warned that Russia is “exploring options” for potential cyberattacks on US critical infrastructure, and Biden will “call for action” to strengthen cybersecurity in the U.S. private sector on Monday. Is issued.
The president reiterated that he did not intend to send US troops to Ukraine to fight and avoid escalations that would lead to a broader war with Russia.
Biden and senior government officials admit that the war in Ukraine, which is now nearly a month old, will not “end easily or rapidly.”
But National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan assured reporters on Tuesday that Russia would not succeed in “conquering Ukraine,” “increasing Russia’s power and fame,” or “dividing and weakening the West.” did.
Meanwhile, President Putin announced at a government meeting on Wednesday that Russia would accept payments for gas exports to “unfriendly countries” only in the ruble.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry is nervous at the beginning of the week to the U.S. ambassador to Moscow that Biden’s calling Putin a war criminal is “on the verge of collapse” between the two countries. Said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to discuss Ukraine’s pledge not to seek NATO membership in exchange for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Russian troops, and a guarantee of Ukraine’s security.
“It’s a compromise for everyone. For the West, who doesn’t know what to do with NATO, for Ukraine, who wants security, and for Russia, who doesn’t want further expansion of NATO,” Zelensky said. Late Monday in an interview with a Ukrainian TV channel.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Nick Ciolino covers the White House.