Biden Warns Americans About Cost Of Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

President Joe Biden delivered comments Tuesday on the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, telling Americans that the U.S. is “ready with diplomacy” while at the same time issuing a warning for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We are prepared to continue to work on diplomacy, but we are also prepared to respond in a united and decisive way with our allies and partners should Russia proceed,” Biden said while speaking at the White House. 

Biden warned of “the human costs for Ukraine … and the strategic cost for Russia” should Putin choose to invade. The president also said that he wanted to highlight the opportunity for diplomacy throughout his speech even warning Russia that an invasion “will prove to be a self-inflicted wound.”

“If Russia attacks Ukraine, it will be met with overwhelming international condemnation,” Biden asserted. “The world will not forget that Russia chose needless death and destruction.”

The administration has been working for months to de-escalate Russia-Ukraine tensions. Biden spoke with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, and on Tuesday he stated that Russia now has more than “150,000 troops circling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine’s border.”

Biden also addressed Russia’s announcement alleging that some of its troops would be returning to their base after completing military drills, stating that it had not yet been verified by the U.S.

“Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position,” Biden said of Russian troops. 

Biden also warned Americans about the cost of a Russian invasion during his remarks, suggesting a Russian invasion of Ukraine could impact things like U.S. energy prices and the risk of cyberattacks, while at the same time reiterating his promise that he would not be sending American troops to fight in Ukraine.

Although the U.S. has no plans to put American troops in Ukraine while at the same time stating that America “will defend every inch of NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] territory with the full force of American power” if necessary.

“The American people understand that defending democracy and liberty is never without cost,” Biden said as he warned Americans of how an invasion could affect life within the U.S. “I will not pretend this will be painless.”