Western officials have stepped up preparations for any Russian military action in Ukraine, with the US focussing on how to preserve energy supplies and US President Joe Biden indicating that direct penalties against Russian President Vladimir Putin may be considered.
Tensions remained high following NATO’s announcement on Monday that it was putting forces on standby and bolstering Eastern Europe with extra ships and fighter jets in response to Russia’s troop build-up near Ukraine’s border.
Russia, which has denied any involvement in the attack, said it was keeping a close eye on the situation with “grave concern.” Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, reiterated Moscow’s position that the situation is being fueled by US and NATO actions, not Russian army build-ups.
In a broadcasted video speech on Tuesday evening, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged his countrymen to remain calm and stated that efforts were underway to arrange a meeting between him and the presidents of Russia, Germany, and France.
“There are no rose-tinted glasses, no infantile delusions, and nothing is straightforward… “However, there is reason to be hopeful,” he remarked.
If Russia launches an invasion, the US and the European Union have warned economic sanctions, and Western officials have stressed the importance of unity, despite disagreements among European nations on how best to respond.
On Tuesday, Biden reiterated that the US had no intentions to send troops to Ukraine, which is not a NATO member, but that he would consider placing direct penalties on Putin and that an invasion would have “enormous implications.”
Biden was asked by reporters if he would personally censure Putin if he attacked Ukraine.
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, has urged European allies to be ready to impose sanctions as soon as an incursion occurs.
“It is extremely critical that… the West is unified now,” he told parliament on Tuesday, “because it is our unity today that will be much more successful in deterring any Russian action.”
He claimed the UK and the US were discussing the idea of Russia being barred from the Swift global payments system, one of many possible sanctions against Moscow if it launches an invasion.