U.S. President Joe Biden has rebuked Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces” following Wednesday’s attack in Ukraine.
“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden’s statement reads. “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”
The Biden administration promised sanctions against Russia if the country continued the conflict in Ukraine to seize more territory. Russian troops entered Ukraine on Thursday, forcing Biden to make good on his promise.
World leaders fear this conflict could be the biggest since World War II.
Biden shared a separate statement on Thursday that he had spoken to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the United Nations Security Council,” Biden wrote. “He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine. Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Leaders of the G7, and the United States and our Allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia.”
Biden added that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine.