Russia will pay a “terrible price” if Reuters invades Ukraine

Author: Andrea Shalal

WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would pay a “horrible price” and that it would have devastating economic consequences if it invaded Ukraine.

Biden told reporters that the possibility of sending U.S. ground troops to Ukraine “was never on the table” in the event of a Russian invasion, although the United States and NATO should send more forces to strengthen NATO countries on the east wing. their defenses.

“I made it very clear to President Putin.

Biden, who spoke to Putin on the phone for two hours last week, said he had made it clear to the Russian leader that Russia’s position in the world would change “significantly” if it entered Ukraine.

Biden spent the weekend at his home in Wilmington.

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven Wealthiest Democracies sent a similar message to Moscow on Saturday after a meeting in Liverpool, warning of the serious consequences of any incursion and urging Moscow to return to the negotiating table.

G7 finance ministers will meet almost Monday to discuss economic concerns, including inflation, but will also touch on possible sanctions against Russia if it moves against Ukraine, officials said.

Ukraine has accused Russia of gathering thousands of troops to prepare for a large-scale military attack.

Russia has denied any wrongdoing and accused Ukraine and the United States of destabilizing its conduct, saying it needs security measures.

Biden promised more military support to NATO members in Central Europe last week, citing growing concern that countries close to Russia’s border could have a similar outcome to Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region in 2014, the Lithuanian presidential adviser said.