Joe Biden Ukraine war speech LIVE – Watch as president addresses nation after Russia and Putin invasion starts
PRESIDENT Joe Biden is set to speak at the White House this afternoon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine got underway overnight.
President Biden will address the nation, and is expected to announce further sanctions against Russia.
The speech comes after Putin declared war on the neighboring nation overnight, and unleashed his terrifying arsenal with a full-scale assault on the country.
The tyrant declared a “special military operation” in Ukraine with a dawn raid after months of amassing his forces on the border and brazenly lying to the world about his plans to invade.
The world is waking up to what could the most horrific crisis since World War 2 as Putin seeks to tear down the world order.
His full-scale invasion of Ukraine is all part of his deluded plan to rebuild the Soviet Union amid his paranoid fears over Nato.
Read our Joe Biden speech live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Josie Rhodes Cook
First sanctions
During a speech on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said US sanctions against Russia will affect two financial institutions, Russian sovereign debt, and Russian elites and their family members.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Biiden: We'll judge Russia 'on actions not words'
During a speech on Tuesday, President Biden was still hoping diplomacy was an option when it comes to Russia's aggression toward Ukraine, but he warned of challenges associated with that.
"We're clear about the challenges we're facing. Nonetheless, we're still trying to avert the worst case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people if they move as suggested," Biden said.
"The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy. It is serious. When all is said and done, we're going to judge Russia by its actions, not its words."
"And whatever Russia does next we're ready to respond with unity, clarity and conviction, and hoping diplomacy is still available."
- Josie Rhodes Cook
When is Biden speaking to G7?
President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with the G7 leaders at 9 am ET, according to UPI.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
'Putin's flagrant aggression'
President Biden continued, "He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine."
"Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Leaders of the G7, and the United States and our Allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia," Biden added, referring to his speech set for Thursday.
"We will continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people."
- Josie Rhodes Cook
'Unprovoked and unjustified attack'
President Biden tweeted about his phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.
"President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces."
"I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the UN Security Council," he added.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Boris Johnson on the attacks
Other world leaders have spoken out against Russia's military action in Ukraine.
In a tweet, Boris Johnson said: "I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps."
"President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine."
"The UK and our allies will respond decisively."
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Cutting off Russia
In his speech on February 22, President Biden said new sanctions against Russia will include "full blocking" for two of Russia's largest financial institutions.
“That means we’ve cut off Russia’s government from Western finance,” he said.
“It can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our markets or European markets either.”
- Josie Rhodes Cook
'More than our worst fears'
Hundreds are already feared to have been killed or wounded in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that could kill tens of thousands and displace millions.
“This is just the start – we have intelligence that a bigger second wave is coming," a Ukrainian military told The Sun.
“There will be bombs, ballistic missiles and multiple attacks – this is more than our worst fears.”
- Josie Rhodes Cook
What will Biden say?
President Biden will address the nation and is expected to announce further sanctions against Russia.
His speech comes after Putin declared war on Ukraine overnight, and unleashed his terrifying arsenal with a full-scale assault on the country.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Biden's phone call with Zelenskyy
President Biden spoke on the phone with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and provided the following statement on the White House website:
"President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces."
"I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the United Nations Security Council. He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine."
"Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Leaders of the G7, and the United States and our Allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia. We will continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people."
- Josie Rhodes Cook
What has happened so far?
Overnight, Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine with a barrage of artillery, airstrikes, and missiles.
So far:
- Vladimir Putin warns of 'untold consequences' if the West challenges his invasion of Ukraine
- Britain is to batter Russia with 'unprecedented' sanctions of the invasion
- Boris Johnson is holding a crisis Cobra meeting over the invasion as the West daws up plans for 'severe sanctions'
- Horror pictures show people fleeing Ukraine after Russia's dawn assault
- Fears are growing over the price of petrol and gas as the markets quake in the aftermath of the invasion
- Civilians are believed to have been hurt in the initial assault by Russia
- Putin is feared to have deploy Russia’s horrifying thermobaric rocket launchers
When did Russia strike in Ukraine?
The first explosions were heard around 3.30am local time – and then two hours later Putin took to Russian airwaves to announce his attack.
He chillingly warned the West that there would be "consequences greater than any you have faced in history" if there are any moves to interfere with the invasion.
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