Biden announces new sanctions on Russia, says Putin ‘chose this war’
WASHINGTON - Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, President Joe Biden announced a new round of sanctions targeting Moscow.
Biden decried the Kremlin’s military aggression during an address from the White House, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin "chose this war" and that his country will bear the consequences of his actions.
Ukraine’s government has reported mounting casualties as Russian forces attack from the east, north and south.
The sanctions are aimed at Russian banks, oligarchs and high-tech sectors in hopes of crippling Russia’s financial system and Putin’s inner circle.
'Very bloody, very quickly': Russia invades Ukraine -- new details & analysis
Russian soldiers have now invaded Ukraine and explosions have been heard in multiple cities across the country. LiveNOW spoke with former intelligence officer Michael Pregent, who says the combat could become "very bloody, very quickly," depending on how Ukraine defends itself.
Biden added that strict export controls aiming to starve Russia’s industries and military would be imposed, cutting the Kremlin off from U.S. semiconductors and other high-tech products.
Putin ignored global condemnation and cascading new sanctions as he unleashed the largest ground war in Europe in decades, and chillingly referred to his country’s nuclear arsenal. He threatened any foreign country trying to interfere with "consequences you have never seen."
RELATED: Russia invades Ukraine; peace in Europe 'shattered'
Ukrainian officials said their forces were battling Russians on multiple fronts and had lost control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the scene of the world's worst nuclear disaster.
"Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself and won’t give up its freedom," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted.
Later, he offered Russia an end to the hostilities.
"It wasn’t Ukraine that chose the path of war, but Ukraine is offering to go back to the path of peace," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. It was reported from Los Angeles.