WASHINGTON. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a new speech to the nation in the late afternoon: «We have been forced to take these measures. Russia had no other choice. Our country is part of the world economy and we have no intention of damaging this system. This is why I tell our partners that it was not in their favor to sanction us: it was a mistake ». The Kremlin then announced that Putin «is willing to start talks with the Ukrainian leadership to discuss the neutral status of the country, the Kremlin announced. Putin’s goal is to achieve the demilitarization of Ukraine and the Russian President is ready to start negotiations only if the counterpart accepts this principle ».
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said in the evening at a press conference: «It’s a war that has been premeditated for months. For weeks we have been warning that this would happen. Putin has chosen the unjustified war and will pay the consequences, democracy is stronger. Today we will add new sanctions. We purposely designed these sanctions to maximize the impact on Russia and minimize it on other allied countries. NATO has never been so united. We will limit Russia’s ability to be part of the global economy. He will become a pariah on the international stage. All countries are ready to implement sanctions. Today we hit Russian banks for $ 3 trillion. And we are prepared to do more ». Four other Russian state-owned banks end up on the blacklist, including VTB, one of the largest in the country, and a ban on technology exports is also envisaged.
The White House reacted this morning a few minutes after the first explosions: “The prayers of the whole world are for the people of Ukraine who are suffering from an unprovoked and unjustified attack by the Russian military forces.” “Putin – the note continues – has chosen a premeditated war that will cause a catastrophe”.
Harsh words from the UK premier
In his speech in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the “broader and more severe economic sanctions” against Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Among the measures illustrated by the premier, the total freezing of the assets of the Russian state bank VBT and the “total exclusion” of Russian banks from the British financial system, “the largest in Europe”. Stressing that “half of Russian trade is handled in dollars and pounds, Johnson announced that the United States is taking similar measures.” In addition, the amount of money Russian citizens will be able to deposit into their UK bank accounts will be limited, while new restrictions and “stringent export controls”, similar to those put in place by the United States, will be implemented. “We will relentlessly continue our mission of excluding Russia from the world economy, day after day and week after week,” promised Johnson. Sanctions will also be imposed on Belarus for its role in the invasion of Ukraine. With the new measures, the premier said, “the oligarchs in London will have nowhere to hide”. For these measures to be successful, he added, “it is essential that there is unity with our partners, the unity of the G7 and the other forums”.
The G7
The G7 strongly condemns Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and points the finger at Russian President Vladimir Putin. “He has reintroduced the war on the European continent. He has put himself on the wrong side of history ”reads the statement released by the leaders of the seven world powers at the end of the virtual meeting which lasted two hours. Speaking of an “unjustified attack and a crisis that threatens the international order”, the G7 expresses its full “support for the Ukrainian people and their democratically elected government”. At the same time he asks Russia “to stop the bloodbath, an immediate de-excluded and the withdrawal of its forces from Ukraine”, continues the note condemning “also the involvement of Belarus”, called to respect its international obligations. “We affirm our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” adds the G7, which is carrying out “coordinated and severe economic and financial sanctions”.
The big seven also say they are “ready to act if necessary” on global energy markets. “We are closely monitoring the conditions of the global oil and gas market. We support – observes the G7 – a coherent and constructive coordination and commitment between the major producers and consumers for the collective interest in the stability of global energy supplies ».
“We are all very impressed by what happened tonight” said Mario Draghi in his speech. “This crisis could last a long time, we must be prepared. I want to thank the United States and President Joe Biden for sharing information in recent weeks, and the European Commission for the good sanctions proposal that is on the table. On sanctions, we are fully aligned with France, Germany, the European Union. We must be united, firm, determined and we must reaffirm our full support for Ukraine at every possible moment ”.