Washington: US President Joe Biden, while addressing the nation on Thursday (local time), said that the US is in consultations with India over the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Replying to the questions whether India is with the US over the Ukraine crisis, Biden said, "We are in consultation with India today, we haven't resolved that completely."
The US President also unveiled a series of economic and strategic sanctions on Russia at his news conference declaring, "This is going to impose severe cost on the Russian economy, both immediately and over time."
In retaliation for the Russian invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russia's President Vladimir Putin early Thursday morning, Biden said the US and its allies would blunt Moscow's ability to participate in global trade by cutting off its ability to use dollars, euros, pounds and yen.
As Russian forces attacked key sites in Ukraine and its troops entered that country and engaged with Ukrainian forces, he said, "Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences."
Biden's sanctions taken in coordination with its allies, target Russia's banking sector, its hi-tech industries and defense.
India is facing a dilemma on how to deal with Russia, its long-standing friend and defense supplier, while its ties with the West are growing and it is getting more tied into the global economic situation.
New Delhi will be tested when a resolution against Russia is introduced in the UN Security Council by the US and its allies, and it will have to take a side. India abstained on a procedural vote on the agenda proposed by the West at a UN Security Council meeting in January on Ukraine.
India's Permanent Representative, T.S. Tirumurti warned Wednesday evening at an emergency Security Council meeting, "The situation is in danger of spiralling into a major crisis. We express our deep concern over the developments, which if not handled carefully, may well undermine the peace and security of the region."
Without naming Russia, he expressed "regret that the calls of the international community to give time to the recent initiatives undertaken by parties to diffuse tensions were not heeded to".
At his news conference, Biden ruled out sending troops to help the Ukrainians, but said US forces would be going to NATO allies in the East. US will intervene if Vladimir Putin moves into NATO countries, stressing that if his Russian counterpart is not stopped now, he will be emboldened.
Biden said he has no plans to talk to Putin but he spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and assured him that the US will provide humanitarian relief to ease the suffering of the people of Ukraine.
"Well, if he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) did move to NATO countries, we will be involved. The only thing that I am convinced of is if we don't stop (him) now, he'll be emboldened. If we don't move against him now with these significant sanctions, he will be emboldened," Biden told reporters.
Read: Russia-Ukraine crisis: PM Modi speaks to Putin, reiterates dialogue to resolve differences
With agency inputs
