February 24, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

US President Joe Biden said Thursday that he authorized the deployment of air and ground forces in Europe to the eastern flank of allies and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defend NATO.

"We're also taking steps to defend our NATO allies. Particularly in the east," the President said during remarks from the White House following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Biden continued, "Tomorrow, NATO will convene a summit. We'll be there to bring together the leaders of 30 allied nations and close partners to affirm our solidarity and to map out the next steps we will take to further strengthen all aspects of our NATO alliance."

The President also made clear that US troops will not be going to Europe to "fight in Ukraine" but to defend the NATO alliance.

The President added that he has "no doubt" that NATO members will "meet our Article 5 commitments, which says an attack on one is an attack on all."

Biden then said that he authorized "deployment of ground and air forces stationed in Europe to the eastern flank" and also is authorizing "additional US force capabilities to deploy to Germany as part of NATO's response."

US President Joe Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is disconnected from the rest of the world and wants to revive the former Soviet Union.

Biden remained steadfast that sanctions will have an effect on Russian aggression after the country attacked Ukraine.

"It will weaken his country. He'll have to make a very, very difficult choice of whether to continue to move toward being a second-rate power or, in fact, respond," Biden said.

"If we don't move against him now with these significant sanctions, he will be emboldened," Biden later said.

President Biden said he has "no plans to talk" with Russian President Vladimir Putin after he announced a military strike on Ukraine.

Earlier in his address, Biden said, "Putin's aggression against Ukraine will end up costing Russia dearly economically and strategically."

"Putin will be a pariah on the international stage," he added. "Putin's choice to make a totally unjustifiable war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger."

President Biden said as the US responds to Russian attack on Ukraine, he will try "to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump" as well.

Biden said officials are monitoring energy supplies for disruptions. 

"We've been coordinating with major oil-producing and consuming countries toward our common interest to secure global energy supplies. We are actively working with countries around the world to elevate collective release from the strategic petroleum reserves for major energy-consuming countries," he said. "And the United States will release additional barrels of oil as conditions warrant." 

Biden said he knows that gas prices have already been rising in the US.

"I know this is hard and that Americans are already hurting. I will do everything in my power to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump. This is critical to me. But this aggression cannot go unanswered. If it did, the consequences for America would be much worse. America stands up to bullies. We stand up for freedom. This is who we are," he said.

US President Joe Biden gave an address on the situation in Ukraine, condemned Russia for launching the military strike on Thursday, and announced new strong sanctions and limitations on what can be exported to Russia.

"This is going to impose severe cost on the Russian economy, both immediately and over time. We have purposefully designed these sanctions to maximize a long-term impact on Russia and to minimize the impact on the United States and our allies," he said.

The United States is not doing this alone, he said, adding that the 27 EU members and G7 members will participate in these sanctions.

Here are the sanctions he announced:

He added, "we're also blocking four more major banks. That means every asset they have in America will be frozen."

"It's going to take time and we have to show resolve, so he knows what is coming. So the people of Russia know what he's brought on them. That's what this is all about. This is going to take time," Biden later said.

US President Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin bears full responsibility for attacking Ukraine and said Russia will face the consequences because of it.

Biden is now announcing additional sanctions on Russia.

US President Joe Biden is addressing the nation from the White House as his administration assesses Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Biden “will deliver remarks on Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine,” the White House said in its daily guidance.

In a Twitter message published earlier today, Biden said he agreed with fellow G7 leaders "to move forward on devastating packages of sanctions and other economic measures to hold Russia to account."

The US and the world have not seen a “conventional move like this, nation state to nation state, since World War II” a senior defense official had told reporters earlier on Thursday. “Certainly nothing on this size and scope and scale."

In a pre-recorded televised address to the nation on Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, stating that Europe “will not accept this violation of Ukraine's sovereignty by Russia.” 

“With the attack on Ukraine, President Putin wants to turn back time – but there is no going back to the time of the 19th century when great powers decided over the heads of smaller states,” Scholz said.

In his address, Scholz said that the European Union “had hope” that diplomatic efforts would prove fruitful, but “were not naïve.”

He also noted that the EU is ready to launch further sanctions against Russia, adding that Russia “will pay a high price” for its actions in Ukraine. 

Russian troops have crossed into Ukraine and bombardments are taking place in several cities. These attacks have sent people fleeing for safety. 

Concerns grow for civilians and families as a larger humanitarian crisis could unfold.

Organizations around the world are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help those in need with shelter, food, water, and additional aid. 

You can find out how to help here.