President Joe Biden is warning of âenormous consequencesâ if Russia invades Ukraine.
The president was asked on Tuesday if he thinks âthe risk of an invasion is increasing, or decreasing, or steady.â
âIâll be completely honest with you; itâs a little bit like reading tea leaves,â Biden began. âOrdinarily, if it were a different leader, the fact that he continues to build forces along Ukraineâs border from Belarus all the way around, youâd say, well, that means that is looking like heâs going to do something.â
He continued, âBut then you look at what his past behavior is and what everyone is saying on his team, as well as everyone else, as to what is likely to happen. It all comes down to his decision.â
âThere will be enormous consequences if he were to go and invade, as he could, the entire country, or a lot less than that as well, for Russia. Not only in terms of economic consequences and political consequences, but there would be enormous consequences worldwide. If he were to move in with all those forces, it would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world,â he added.
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During a press conference on Wednesday, Biden predicted that Russia, which has amassed around 100,000 troops on Ukraineâs borders, would âmove inâ to the European nation.
âIâm not so sure he is certain what he is going to do. My guess is he will move in. He has to do something,â he told reporters. âHe is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.â
The Biden administration is preparing a ârange of severe economic measuresâ to hit Russia with if it invades Ukraine.
Additionally, the president is reportedly considering sending U.S. troops to Eastern Europe to bolster NATO alliesâ defenses and deter Russian aggression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly has not decided whether he wants to invade Ukraine.
Still, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday that an invasion could occur soon and that Russia is âprepared at any moment to take military action.â
Russia has repeatedly denied that it is preparing to invade Ukraine.
