The United States and other countries slapped sanctions on Russia Tuesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine.
Putin has recognized parts of Ukraine as independent states. Russian troops have moved into the eastern parts of its neighboring nation. The United States and other countries worry this is the start of a full-scale invasion.
President Biden has followed through on his promise of more severe sanctions. Two Russian financial institutions have been entirely blocked, Russia has been cut off from Western financing, and U.S. troops will reinforce NATO in the Baltic states.
“If Russia goes further with this invasion, we stand prepared to go further with sanctions,” said President Biden on Tuesday.
The United Kingdom has frozen the assets of five Russian banks and three oligarchs while Germany, Russia’s biggest gas customer, has suspended the progress of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Still, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky believes there will be no war with Russia but cautions that his troops will be ready.
