English subtitles for clip: File:President Biden on 2022 Russia invasion.webm
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1 00:00:00,470 --> 00:00:02,070 >> The President: Sorry to keep you waiting. 2 00:00:03,610 --> 00:00:05,210 Good afternoon. 3 00:00:06,250 --> 00:00:08,520 The Russian military has begun a brutal assault 4 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:12,010 on the people of Ukraine without provocation, 5 00:00:12,010 --> 00:00:14,810 without justification, without necessity. 6 00:00:15,700 --> 00:00:17,870 This is a premeditated attack. 7 00:00:19,070 --> 00:00:21,440 Vladimir Putin has been planning this for months, 8 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:23,900 as I've been -- as we've been saying all along. 9 00:00:23,900 --> 00:00:27,140 He moved more than 175,000 troops, 10 00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:29,280 military equipment into positions 11 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:31,340 along the Ukrainian border. 12 00:00:31,340 --> 00:00:33,230 He moved blood supplies into position 13 00:00:33,980 --> 00:00:35,580 and built a field hospital, 14 00:00:36,340 --> 00:00:38,480 which tells you all you need to know 15 00:00:38,480 --> 00:00:40,080 about his intentions all along. 16 00:00:40,900 --> 00:00:42,680 He rejected every good-faith effort 17 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,930 the United States and our Allies and partners made to address 18 00:00:45,930 --> 00:00:49,350 our mutual security concerns through dialogue 19 00:00:49,350 --> 00:00:52,420 to avoid needless conflict and avert human suffering. 20 00:00:53,340 --> 00:00:55,680 For weeks -- for weeks, 21 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:57,950 we have been warning that this would happen. 22 00:00:58,700 --> 00:01:01,860 And now it's unfolding largely as we predicted. 23 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,790 In the past week, we've seen shelling increase in the Donbas, 24 00:01:06,790 --> 00:01:08,110 the region in eastern Ukraine 25 00:01:08,110 --> 00:01:10,159 controlled by Russian-backed separatists. 26 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:13,130 Rus- -- the Russian government 27 00:01:13,130 --> 00:01:16,240 has perpetrated cyberattacks against Ukraine. 28 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:20,050 We saw a staged political theater in Moscow -- 29 00:01:20,050 --> 00:01:24,270 outlandish and baseless claims that Ukraine was -- 30 00:01:24,270 --> 00:01:28,600 Ukraine was about to invade and launch a war against Russia, 31 00:01:29,340 --> 00:01:32,110 that Ukraine was prepared to use chemical weapons, 32 00:01:32,110 --> 00:01:34,260 that Ukraine committed a genocide -- 33 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:36,750 without any evidence. 34 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:40,480 We saw a flagrant violation of international law 35 00:01:41,250 --> 00:01:43,160 in attempting to unilaterally create 36 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:48,060 two new so-called republics on sovereign Ukrainian territory. 37 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,490 And at the very moment that the United Nations Security Council 38 00:01:52,490 --> 00:01:55,670 was meeting to stand up for Ukraine's sovereignty 39 00:01:55,670 --> 00:01:59,250 to stave off invasion, Putin declared his war. 40 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:02,350 Within moments -- moments, 41 00:02:02,940 --> 00:02:06,170 missile strikes began to fall on historic cities across Ukraine. 42 00:02:06,930 --> 00:02:08,930 Then came in the air raids, 43 00:02:08,930 --> 00:02:10,980 followed by tanks and troops rolling in. 44 00:02:12,070 --> 00:02:14,230 We've been transparent with the world. 45 00:02:14,810 --> 00:02:16,390 We've shared declassified evidence 46 00:02:16,390 --> 00:02:20,140 about Russia's plans and cyberattacks and false pretexts 47 00:02:20,140 --> 00:02:23,600 so that there can be no confusion or cover-up 48 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:25,200 about what Putin was doing. 49 00:02:25,710 --> 00:02:30,370 Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. 50 00:02:31,410 --> 00:02:34,110 And now he and his country will bear the consequences. 51 00:02:34,790 --> 00:02:37,670 Today, I'm authorizing additional strong sanctions 52 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,390 and new limitations on what can be exported to Russia. 53 00:02:43,330 --> 00:02:46,560 This is going to impose severe costs on the Russian economy, 54 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,160 both immediately and over time. 55 00:02:49,230 --> 00:02:51,340 We have purposefully designed these sanctions 56 00:02:51,340 --> 00:02:55,050 to maximize the long-term impact on Russia 57 00:02:55,050 --> 00:02:57,280 and to minimize the impact on the United States 58 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:58,840 and our Allies. 59 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,260 And I want to be clear: The United States 60 00:03:01,260 --> 00:03:02,860 is not doing this alone. 61 00:03:03,830 --> 00:03:06,570 For months, we've been building a coalition of partners 62 00:03:06,570 --> 00:03:10,370 representing well more than half of the global economy. 63 00:03:11,410 --> 00:03:13,200 Twenty-seven members of the European Union, 64 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:14,700 including France, Germany, Italy -- 65 00:03:14,700 --> 00:03:18,810 as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, 66 00:03:18,810 --> 00:03:20,110 New Zealand, and many others -- 67 00:03:20,110 --> 00:03:22,930 to amplify the joint impact of our response. 68 00:03:24,170 --> 00:03:26,469 I just spoke with the G7 leaders this morning, 69 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:28,990 and we are in full and total agreement. 70 00:03:29,850 --> 00:03:32,810 We will limit Russia's ability to do business in Dollars, 71 00:03:32,810 --> 00:03:37,440 Euros, Pounds, and Yen to be part of the global economy. 72 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:39,840 We will limit their ability to do that. 73 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:44,520 We are going to stunt the ability to finance and grow Rus- 74 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:46,360 -- the Russian military. 75 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,200 We're going to impose major -- 76 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,350 and we're going to impair their ability to compete 77 00:03:50,350 --> 00:03:52,670 in a high-tech 21st century economy. 78 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,240 We've already seen the impact of our actions 79 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:59,830 on Russia's currency, the Ruble, which early today 80 00:03:59,830 --> 00:04:02,920 hit its weakest level ever -- ever in history. 81 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,410 And the Russian stock market plunged today. 82 00:04:07,220 --> 00:04:08,750 The Russian government's borrowing rate 83 00:04:08,750 --> 00:04:11,020 spiked by over 15 percent. 84 00:04:12,230 --> 00:04:16,170 In today's actions, we have now sanctioned Russian banks 85 00:04:16,170 --> 00:04:19,350 that together hold around $1 trillion in assets. 86 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:21,730 We've cut off Russia's largest bank -- 87 00:04:21,730 --> 00:04:23,840 a bank that holds more than one third 88 00:04:23,840 --> 00:04:26,220 of Russia's banking assets by itself -- 89 00:04:27,140 --> 00:04:29,239 cut it off from the U.S. financial system. 90 00:04:29,750 --> 00:04:33,200 And today, we're also blocking four more major banks. 91 00:04:33,940 --> 00:04:37,580 That means every asset they have in America will be frozen. 92 00:04:38,330 --> 00:04:41,870 This includes V.T.B., the second-largest bank in Russia, 93 00:04:42,420 --> 00:04:46,100 which has $250 billion in assets. 94 00:04:46,910 --> 00:04:49,020 As promised, we're also adding names 95 00:04:49,020 --> 00:04:50,770 to the list of Russian elites 96 00:04:51,290 --> 00:04:54,050 and their family members that are sanctioning -- 97 00:04:54,050 --> 00:04:56,030 that we're sanctioning as well. 98 00:04:56,030 --> 00:04:57,750 As I said on Tuesday, 99 00:04:57,750 --> 00:05:01,310 these are people who personally gain from the Kremlin's policies 100 00:05:01,310 --> 00:05:03,010 and they should share in the pain. 101 00:05:03,940 --> 00:05:07,620 We will keep up this drumbeat of those designations 102 00:05:07,620 --> 00:05:10,140 against corrupt billionaires in the days ahead. 103 00:05:11,220 --> 00:05:13,770 On Tuesday, we stopped the Russian government 104 00:05:13,770 --> 00:05:17,180 from raising money from U.S. or European investors. 105 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:19,820 Now, we're going to apply the same restrictions 106 00:05:19,820 --> 00:05:22,119 to Russia's largest state-owned enterprises -- 107 00:05:22,630 --> 00:05:26,910 companies with assets that exceed $1.4 trillion. 108 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:30,470 Some of the most powerful impacts of our actions 109 00:05:30,470 --> 00:05:32,470 will come over time 110 00:05:32,470 --> 00:05:35,750 as we squeeze Russia's access to finance and technology 111 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:39,390 for strategic sectors of its economy and degrade 112 00:05:39,390 --> 00:05:41,489 its industrial capacity for years to come. 113 00:05:42,390 --> 00:05:45,650 Between our actions and those of our Allies and partners, 114 00:05:45,650 --> 00:05:47,090 we estimate that we'll cut off more 115 00:05:47,090 --> 00:05:49,250 than half of Russia's high-tech imports. 116 00:05:49,250 --> 00:05:52,440 It will strike a blow to their ability 117 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,490 to continue to modernize their military. 118 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:57,710 It'll degrade their aerospace industry, 119 00:05:57,710 --> 00:05:59,010 including their space program. 120 00:05:59,010 --> 00:06:01,720 It will hurt their ability to build ships, 121 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,240 reducing their ability to compete economically. 122 00:06:05,140 --> 00:06:06,820 And it will be a major hit 123 00:06:06,820 --> 00:06:09,000 to Putin's long-term strategic ambitions. 124 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,280 And we're preparing to do more. 125 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,950 In addition to the economic penalties we're imposing, 126 00:06:14,950 --> 00:06:17,000 we're also taking steps to defend our NATO 127 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,650 Allies, particularly in the east. 128 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:23,690 Tomorrow, NATO will convene a summit -- we'll be there -- 129 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,300 to bring together the leaders of 30 Allied nations 130 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,330 and close partners to affirm our solidarity 131 00:06:32,050 --> 00:06:33,690 and to map out the next steps 132 00:06:33,690 --> 00:06:36,050 we will take to further strengthen 133 00:06:36,050 --> 00:06:38,060 all aspects of our NATO Alliance. 134 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,700 Although we provided over $650 million 135 00:06:41,700 --> 00:06:44,620 in defensive assistance to Ukraine just this year -- 136 00:06:45,300 --> 00:06:47,870 this last year, let me say it again: 137 00:06:48,710 --> 00:06:52,220 Our forces are not and will not be engaged 138 00:06:52,220 --> 00:06:54,430 in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine. 139 00:06:55,390 --> 00:06:58,210 Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine 140 00:06:58,740 --> 00:07:01,490 but to defend our NATO Allies and reassure those 141 00:07:01,490 --> 00:07:03,090 Allies in the east. 142 00:07:04,070 --> 00:07:05,370 As I made crystal clear, 143 00:07:05,370 --> 00:07:09,240 the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory 144 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,139 with the full force of American power. 145 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:13,740 And the good news is: 146 00:07:13,740 --> 00:07:17,070 NATO is more united and more determined than ever. 147 00:07:17,970 --> 00:07:19,450 There is no doubt -- 148 00:07:19,450 --> 00:07:21,500 no doubt that the United States and every NATO 149 00:07:21,500 --> 00:07:24,220 Ally will meet our Article 5 commitments, 150 00:07:24,860 --> 00:07:27,560 which says that an attack on one is an attack on all. 151 00:07:28,770 --> 00:07:30,770 Over the past few weeks, I ordered thousands 152 00:07:30,770 --> 00:07:33,820 of additional forces to Germany and Poland 153 00:07:33,820 --> 00:07:35,520 as part of our commitment to NATO. 154 00:07:36,210 --> 00:07:39,830 On Tuesday, in response to Russia's aggressive action, 155 00:07:39,830 --> 00:07:43,030 including its troop presence in Belarus and the Black Sea, 156 00:07:43,030 --> 00:07:45,230 I've authorized the deployment of ground and air 157 00:07:45,230 --> 00:07:48,830 forces already stationed in Europe to NATO's eastern flank 158 00:07:48,830 --> 00:07:53,060 Allies: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. 159 00:07:54,470 --> 00:07:58,620 Our Allies have also been stepping up, adding -- the other 160 00:07:58,620 --> 00:08:02,060 Allies, the rest of NATO -- adding their own forces 161 00:08:02,060 --> 00:08:04,560 and capabilities to ensure our collective defense. 162 00:08:05,070 --> 00:08:08,580 And today, within hours of Russia's unleashing its assault, 163 00:08:09,230 --> 00:08:12,460 NATO came together and authorized and activated -- 164 00:08:12,460 --> 00:08:14,190 an activation of response plans. 165 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,050 This will enable NATO's high-readiness 166 00:08:17,050 --> 00:08:20,010 forces to deploy and -- 167 00:08:20,010 --> 00:08:23,240 when and where they're needed to protect our NATO 168 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:25,390 Allies on the eastern boundaries of Europe. 169 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:28,350 And now I'm authorizing additional U.S. forces 170 00:08:28,350 --> 00:08:30,430 and capabilities to deploy to Germany 171 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:32,420 as part of NATO's response, 172 00:08:32,420 --> 00:08:35,150 including some of U.S.-based forces 173 00:08:35,150 --> 00:08:38,100 that the Department of Defense placed on standby weeks ago. 174 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:42,030 I've also spoken with Defense Secretary Austin 175 00:08:42,030 --> 00:08:43,380 and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, 176 00:08:43,380 --> 00:08:44,720 General Milley, 177 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:47,200 about preparations for additional moves 178 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,270 should they become necessary to protect our NATO Allies 179 00:08:50,270 --> 00:08:52,220 and support the greatest military Alliance 180 00:08:52,220 --> 00:08:54,019 in the history of the world -- NATO. 181 00:08:55,310 --> 00:08:58,930 As we respond, my administration is using the tools -- 182 00:08:58,930 --> 00:09:01,660 every tool at our disposal to protect American families 183 00:09:01,660 --> 00:09:04,550 and businesses from rising prices at the gas pump. 184 00:09:05,490 --> 00:09:08,690 You know, we're taking active steps to bring down the costs. 185 00:09:08,690 --> 00:09:11,550 And American oil and gas companies should not -- 186 00:09:11,550 --> 00:09:13,570 should not exploit this moment 187 00:09:13,570 --> 00:09:16,090 to hike their prices to raise profits. 188 00:09:16,090 --> 00:09:18,640 You know, in our sanctions package, 189 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,000 we specifically designed 190 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:21,850 to allow energy payments to continue. 191 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:26,210 We are closely monitoring energy supplies for any disruption. 192 00:09:26,820 --> 00:09:29,580 We have been coordinating with major oil producing 193 00:09:29,580 --> 00:09:32,480 and consuming countries toward our common interest 194 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,620 to secure global energy supplies. 195 00:09:35,450 --> 00:09:37,150 We are actively working with countries 196 00:09:37,150 --> 00:09:38,510 around the world to elevate [evaluate] 197 00:09:38,510 --> 00:09:41,620 a collective release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves 198 00:09:41,620 --> 00:09:43,520 of major energy-consuming countries. 199 00:09:44,380 --> 00:09:46,770 And the United States will release additional barrels 200 00:09:46,770 --> 00:09:48,790 of oil as conditions warrant. 201 00:09:49,860 --> 00:09:53,260 I know this is hard and that Americans are already hurting. 202 00:09:54,250 --> 00:09:55,760 I will do everything in my power 203 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:57,460 to limit the pain the American people 204 00:09:57,460 --> 00:10:00,760 are feeling at the gas pump. This is critical to me. 205 00:10:02,090 --> 00:10:04,650 But this aggression cannot go unanswered. 206 00:10:05,190 --> 00:10:09,190 If it did, the consequences for America would be much worse. 207 00:10:09,990 --> 00:10:13,310 America stands up to bullies. We stand up for freedom. 208 00:10:14,460 --> 00:10:16,060 This is who we are. 209 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:19,440 Let me also repeat the warning I made last week: 210 00:10:20,260 --> 00:10:23,510 If Russia pursues cyberattacks against our companies, 211 00:10:23,510 --> 00:10:26,650 our critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond. 212 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:29,820 For months, we have been working closely with our private -- 213 00:10:29,820 --> 00:10:32,920 with the private sector to harden their cyber defenses, 214 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:36,110 sharpen our ability to respond to Russian cyberattacks as well. 215 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,249 I spoke late last night to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine 216 00:10:41,250 --> 00:10:43,600 and I assured him that the United States, 217 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,010 together with our Allies and partners in Europe, 218 00:10:46,010 --> 00:10:47,970 will support the Ukrainian people 219 00:10:47,970 --> 00:10:50,050 as they defend their country. 220 00:10:50,050 --> 00:10:53,570 We'll provide humanitarian relief to ease their suffering. 221 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:56,600 And in the early days of this conflict, 222 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,790 Russian propaganda outlets will keep trying to hide the truth 223 00:10:59,790 --> 00:11:02,610 and claim success for its military operation 224 00:11:02,610 --> 00:11:04,210 against a made-up threat. 225 00:11:04,940 --> 00:11:07,470 But history has shown time and again 226 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:10,330 how swift gains in territory 227 00:11:10,330 --> 00:11:12,830 eventually give way to grinding occupations, 228 00:11:13,510 --> 00:11:16,820 acts of mass civil -- mass civil disobedience, 229 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:19,120 and strategic dead-ends. 230 00:11:19,780 --> 00:11:21,900 The next few weeks and months 231 00:11:21,900 --> 00:11:24,080 will be hard on the people of Ukraine. 232 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:26,910 Putin has unleashed a great pain on them. 233 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:30,969 But the Ukrainian people have known 30 years of independence, 234 00:11:31,590 --> 00:11:34,210 and they have repeatedly shown that they will not tolerate 235 00:11:34,210 --> 00:11:37,300 anyone who tries to take their country backwards. 236 00:11:38,690 --> 00:11:41,430 This is a dangerous moment for all of Europe, 237 00:11:41,430 --> 00:11:43,079 for the freedom around the world. 238 00:11:43,910 --> 00:11:45,520 Putin has a -- has committed an assault 239 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:48,050 on the very principles that uphold global peace. 240 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,970 But now the entire world 241 00:11:50,970 --> 00:11:53,490 sees clearly what Putin and his Kremlin -- 242 00:11:54,370 --> 00:11:57,010 and his Kremlin allies are really all about. 243 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:01,500 This was never about genuine security concerns on their part. 244 00:12:02,250 --> 00:12:04,100 It was always about naked aggression, 245 00:12:04,890 --> 00:12:08,830 about Putin's desire for empire by any means necessary -- 246 00:12:09,850 --> 00:12:13,220 by bullying Russia's neighbors through coercion and corruption, 247 00:12:13,220 --> 00:12:14,880 by changing borders by force, 248 00:12:15,690 --> 00:12:19,170 and, ultimately, by choosing a war without a cause. 249 00:12:20,260 --> 00:12:22,920 Putin's actions betray his sinister vision 250 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:24,520 for the future of our world -- 251 00:12:25,070 --> 00:12:27,440 one where nations take what they want by force. 252 00:12:28,550 --> 00:12:30,470 But it is a vision that the United States 253 00:12:30,470 --> 00:12:32,910 and freedom-loving nations everywhere will oppose 254 00:12:32,910 --> 00:12:35,009 with every tool of our considerable power. 255 00:12:35,860 --> 00:12:37,410 The United States and our Allies 256 00:12:37,410 --> 00:12:39,610 and partners will emerge from this stronger, 257 00:12:40,310 --> 00:12:42,880 more united, more determined, and more purposeful. 258 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,700 And Putin's aggression against Ukraine 259 00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:48,499 will end up costing Russia dearly -- 260 00:12:49,130 --> 00:12:53,040 economically and strategically. We will make sure of that. 261 00:12:54,290 --> 00:12:56,850 Putin will be a pariah on the international stage. 262 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,060 Any nation that countenances 263 00:12:59,060 --> 00:13:01,530 Russia's naked aggression against Ukraine 264 00:13:01,530 --> 00:13:03,370 will be stained by association. 265 00:13:05,010 --> 00:13:07,350 When the history of this era is written, 266 00:13:07,350 --> 00:13:12,080 Putin's choice to make a totally unjustifiable war on Ukraine 267 00:13:12,690 --> 00:13:17,030 will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger. 268 00:13:17,910 --> 00:13:20,050 Liberty, democracy, human dignity -- 269 00:13:20,050 --> 00:13:22,490 these are the forces far more powerful 270 00:13:23,050 --> 00:13:27,060 than fear and oppression. They cannot be extinguished 271 00:13:27,060 --> 00:13:29,220 by tyrants like Putin and his armies. 272 00:13:30,230 --> 00:13:32,160 They cannot be erased by people -- 273 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,600 from people's hearts and hopes 274 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:36,750 by any amount of violence and intimidation. 275 00:13:37,390 --> 00:13:39,450 They endure. 276 00:13:39,450 --> 00:13:42,040 And in the contest between democracy and autocracy, 277 00:13:42,890 --> 00:13:44,820 between sovereignty and subjugation, 278 00:13:45,430 --> 00:13:48,610 make no mistake: Freedom will prevail. 279 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:52,830 God bless the people of a free and democratic Ukraine. 280 00:13:52,830 --> 00:13:54,530 And may God protect our troops. 281 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:57,750 >> The Press: President Biden -- 282 00:13:57,750 --> 00:13:59,300 >> The President: Associated Press, Zeke. 283 00:13:59,300 --> 00:14:00,900 >> The Press: Chris Megerian. 284 00:14:01,990 --> 00:14:03,920 So, do you have any plans to speak 285 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:05,640 with President Putin at this point? 286 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,230 And what interactions have you had with the Russian government? 287 00:14:08,230 --> 00:14:09,450 >> The President: I heard the first part: 288 00:14:09,450 --> 00:14:11,220 Do I have any plans to speak with Putin at this point. 289 00:14:11,220 --> 00:14:12,430 And what? 290 00:14:12,430 --> 00:14:13,670 >> The Press: What communications have you had 291 00:14:13,670 --> 00:14:15,730 with the Kremlin as far as military 292 00:14:15,730 --> 00:14:17,000 (inaudible) in Ukraine and making sure 293 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,050 this does not spiral into a larger conflict? 294 00:14:19,050 --> 00:14:20,560 >> The President: Well, it's a large conflict already. 295 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:21,760 The way we're going to assure 296 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:23,810 it's not going to spiral to a larger conflict 297 00:14:23,810 --> 00:14:27,580 is by providing all the forces needed in the Eastern European 298 00:14:27,580 --> 00:14:29,470 nations that are members of NATO. 299 00:14:30,150 --> 00:14:32,600 NATO is more united than it's ever been. 300 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:34,550 And I have no plans to talk with Putin. 301 00:14:39,130 --> 00:14:41,570 Wall Street Journal, Tarina [Tarini]. 302 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:47,260 >> The Press: Mr. President, you didn't mention SWIFT 303 00:14:47,260 --> 00:14:49,310 in your sanctions that you announced. 304 00:14:49,310 --> 00:14:52,610 Is there a reason why the U.S. isn't doing that? 305 00:14:52,610 --> 00:14:56,260 Is there disagreement among Allies regarding SWIFT 306 00:14:56,260 --> 00:14:59,500 and whether Russia should be allowed to be a part of it? 307 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,120 >> The President: The sanctions that we have proposed 308 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:04,470 on all their banks is of equal consequence -- 309 00:15:04,470 --> 00:15:06,870 maybe more consequence than SWIFT -- number one. 310 00:15:07,380 --> 00:15:10,500 Number two, it is always an option. 311 00:15:10,500 --> 00:15:12,450 But right now, that's not the position 312 00:15:12,450 --> 00:15:14,670 that the rest of Europe wishes to take. 313 00:15:16,950 --> 00:15:19,830 Cecilia Ve- -- Vega, ABC. 314 00:15:19,830 --> 00:15:22,400 >> The Press: Thank you, sir. 315 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,230 Sir, sanctions clearly have not been enough 316 00:15:24,230 --> 00:15:26,400 to deter Vladimir Putin to this point. 317 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:30,920 What is going to stop him? How and when does this end? 318 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:33,900 And do you see him trying to go beyond Ukraine? 319 00:15:33,900 --> 00:15:35,700 And a second question I'll just give to you now: 320 00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:37,770 This statement that he gave last night will -- 321 00:15:37,770 --> 00:15:39,350 that the We- -- the threat that he gave -- 322 00:15:39,350 --> 00:15:41,900 the West "will face consequences greater 323 00:15:41,900 --> 00:15:43,490 than any you have faced in history." 324 00:15:43,490 --> 00:15:45,240 Is he threatening a nuclear strike? 325 00:15:47,130 --> 00:15:49,850 >> The President: I have no idea what he's threatening. 326 00:15:49,850 --> 00:15:52,100 I know what he has done, number one. 327 00:15:52,850 --> 00:15:56,780 And number two, no one expected the sanctions 328 00:15:56,780 --> 00:15:59,060 to prevent anything from happening. 329 00:16:00,090 --> 00:16:02,380 That has to sh- -- this is going to take time. 330 00:16:02,380 --> 00:16:05,750 And we have to show resolve so he knows what's coming 331 00:16:05,750 --> 00:16:08,870 and so the people of Russia know what he's brought on them. 332 00:16:08,870 --> 00:16:10,670 That's what this is all about. 333 00:16:10,670 --> 00:16:13,040 This is going to take time. It's not going to occur -- 334 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:15,280 he's going to say, "Oh my God, these sanctions are coming. 335 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:16,910 I'm going to stand down." 336 00:16:16,910 --> 00:16:18,720 He's going to test the resolve of the West 337 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:20,750 to see if we stay together. And we will. 338 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:24,260 We will and it will impose significant costs on him. 339 00:16:24,260 --> 00:16:26,070 >> The Press: Will he go beyond Ukraine, sir? 340 00:16:26,070 --> 00:16:27,460 Do you see him going beyond Ukraine? 341 00:16:27,460 --> 00:16:28,940 >> The Press: Mr. President -- Mr. President -- 342 00:16:28,940 --> 00:16:30,140 >> The President: Yes. 343 00:16:30,140 --> 00:16:32,410 >> The Press: Thank you. Two topics, just really quick. 344 00:16:32,410 --> 00:16:36,180 First, markets are down and gas prices are up. 345 00:16:36,180 --> 00:16:37,960 I know you always stress the difference 346 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,800 between Wall Street and Main Street, 347 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:45,570 but everybody seems to be in for some economic pain. 348 00:16:45,570 --> 00:16:47,780 How economically painful 349 00:16:47,780 --> 00:16:50,520 is it going to get for people in this country? 350 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,000 And I do have one more question. 351 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,650 >> The President: First of all, there's no doubt 352 00:16:54,650 --> 00:16:58,140 that when a major nuclear power attacks 353 00:16:58,140 --> 00:16:59,810 and invades another country 354 00:16:59,810 --> 00:17:02,590 that the world is going to respond and markets 355 00:17:02,590 --> 00:17:04,550 are going to respond all over the world. 356 00:17:04,550 --> 00:17:07,380 So, there's no doubt about that, number one. 357 00:17:07,380 --> 00:17:11,530 Number two, the notion that this is going to last 358 00:17:11,530 --> 00:17:14,010 for a long time is highly unlikely, 359 00:17:14,010 --> 00:17:17,310 as long as we continue to stay resolved in imposing 360 00:17:17,310 --> 00:17:22,040 the sanctions we're going to impose on Russia, period. 361 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:23,650 What's your next question? I'm sorry. 362 00:17:23,650 --> 00:17:25,160 >> The Press: The next question is: 363 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,630 Did you underestimate Putin? 364 00:17:27,630 --> 00:17:29,240 And would you still describe him the way 365 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,390 that you did in the summer, as a "worthy adversary"? 366 00:17:33,430 --> 00:17:35,760 >> The President: At the time, he was -- 367 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:37,340 I made it clear he was an adversary, 368 00:17:37,340 --> 00:17:40,270 and I said he was "worthy." I didn't underestimate him. 369 00:17:40,270 --> 00:17:42,630 And I've read most of everything he's written. 370 00:17:42,630 --> 00:17:44,010 Did you read the -- I shouldn't sa- -- 371 00:17:44,010 --> 00:17:45,940 I'm not being a wise guy. 372 00:17:45,940 --> 00:17:48,300 The -- you heard the speech he made -- 373 00:17:48,300 --> 00:17:49,730 almost an hour's worth of speeches -- 374 00:17:49,730 --> 00:17:51,330 why he was going into Ukraine. 375 00:17:52,010 --> 00:17:54,320 He has much larger ambitions in Ukraine. 376 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:55,870 He wants to, in fact, 377 00:17:55,870 --> 00:17:57,980 reestablish the former Soviet Union. 378 00:17:58,530 --> 00:18:00,120 That's what this is about. 379 00:18:00,120 --> 00:18:04,210 And I think that his -- his ambitions are -- 380 00:18:06,230 --> 00:18:08,180 are completely contrary 381 00:18:08,180 --> 00:18:09,940 to the place where the rest of the world has arrived. 382 00:18:09,940 --> 00:18:11,210 >> The Press: President Biden -- President Biden -- 383 00:18:11,210 --> 00:18:12,500 >> The Press: And -- and with that -- 384 00:18:12,500 --> 00:18:13,740 with his ambitions, you're confident 385 00:18:13,740 --> 00:18:18,140 that these devastating sanctions are going to be as devastating 386 00:18:18,140 --> 00:18:20,550 as Russian missiles and bullets and tanks? 387 00:18:22,270 --> 00:18:23,740 >> The President: Yes. 388 00:18:23,740 --> 00:18:26,240 Russian bullets, missiles, and tanks in Ukraine. 389 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:28,760 Yes, I am. 390 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,700 >> The Press: Thank you, President Biden. 391 00:18:31,700 --> 00:18:34,660 If sanctions cannot stop President Putin, 392 00:18:34,660 --> 00:18:36,550 what penalty can? 393 00:18:36,550 --> 00:18:38,580 >> The President: I didn't say sanctions couldn't stop him. 394 00:18:38,580 --> 00:18:40,170 >> The Press: But you've been talking about the threat 395 00:18:40,170 --> 00:18:41,720 of these sanctions for several weeks now -- 396 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:43,540 >> The President: Yes, but the threat of the sanctions 397 00:18:43,540 --> 00:18:44,770 and imposing the sanctions 398 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:46,040 and seeing the effect of the sanctions 399 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:47,260 are two different things. 400 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:48,480 >> The Press: Okay, but -- 401 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:49,720 >> The President: They're two different things. 402 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:50,940 And we're now going to -- 403 00:18:50,940 --> 00:18:53,700 he's going to begin to see the effect of the sanctions. 404 00:18:54,530 --> 00:18:55,820 >> The Press: And what will that do -- 405 00:18:55,820 --> 00:18:57,440 how will that change his mindset here, 406 00:18:57,440 --> 00:18:58,790 given he's attacking Ukraine as we speak? 407 00:18:58,790 --> 00:19:00,630 >> The President: Because it will so weaken his country 408 00:19:00,630 --> 00:19:03,710 that he'll have to make a very, very difficult choices 409 00:19:03,710 --> 00:19:05,610 of whether to continue to move toward 410 00:19:05,610 --> 00:19:08,860 being a second-rate power or, in fact, respond. 411 00:19:08,860 --> 00:19:10,090 >> The Press: You said, in recent weeks, 412 00:19:10,090 --> 00:19:11,730 that big nations cannot bluff 413 00:19:11,730 --> 00:19:13,160 when it comes to something like this. 414 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:16,160 You recently said that the idea of personally sanctioning 415 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:17,560 President Putin was on the table. 416 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:18,980 Is that a step that you're prepared to take? 417 00:19:18,980 --> 00:19:20,230 And if not -- 418 00:19:20,230 --> 00:19:21,920 >> The President: It's not a bluff; it's on the table. 419 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:23,180 >> The Press: Sanctioning President Putin? 420 00:19:23,180 --> 00:19:24,390 >> The President: Yes. 421 00:19:24,390 --> 00:19:25,990 >> The Press: Why not sanction him today, sir? 422 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:28,310 Why not sanction him today, sir? 423 00:19:28,310 --> 00:19:29,870 >> The Press: Mr. President -- 424 00:19:29,870 --> 00:19:31,080 >> The Press: Mr. President, if I can, 425 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:33,870 you detailed some severe and swift new sanctions today 426 00:19:33,870 --> 00:19:35,970 and said the impact it will have over time, 427 00:19:35,970 --> 00:19:38,140 but given the full-scale invasion, 428 00:19:38,140 --> 00:19:41,490 given that you're not pursuing disconnecting Russia 429 00:19:41,490 --> 00:19:42,700 from what's called "SWIFT" -- 430 00:19:42,700 --> 00:19:44,300 the international banking system -- 431 00:19:44,300 --> 00:19:46,680 or other sanctions at your disposal, 432 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,270 respectfully, sir, what more are you waiting for? 433 00:19:50,270 --> 00:19:51,470 >> The President: Specifically, 434 00:19:51,470 --> 00:19:54,400 the sanctions we've imposed exceed SWIFT. 435 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,800 The sanctions we imposed exceed anything that's ever been done. 436 00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,130 The sanctions we imposed have generated 437 00:20:00,130 --> 00:20:02,230 two thirds of the world joining us. 438 00:20:02,230 --> 00:20:04,340 They are profound sanctions. 439 00:20:04,340 --> 00:20:06,380 Let's have a conversation in another month 440 00:20:06,380 --> 00:20:07,760 or so to see if they're working. Yes. 441 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:08,960 >> The Press: Let me ask you about -- 442 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:10,210 can I ask you about Zelenskyy? 443 00:20:10,210 --> 00:20:12,820 Sir, you spoke to Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday, sir, 444 00:20:12,820 --> 00:20:14,520 if I could follow up -- 445 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:16,830 >> The Press: What's the risk that we are watching 446 00:20:16,830 --> 00:20:18,790 the beginning of another Cold War? 447 00:20:18,790 --> 00:20:21,030 And is there now a complete rupture in U.S. 448 00:20:21,030 --> 00:20:22,400 and Russian relations? 449 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:23,690 >> The President: There is a complete rupture 450 00:20:23,690 --> 00:20:25,750 right now in U.S.-Russian relations 451 00:20:26,310 --> 00:20:28,950 if they continue on this path that they're on. 452 00:20:28,950 --> 00:20:31,930 And in terms of a Cold War, that depends. 453 00:20:31,930 --> 00:20:34,130 You have the vast majority of the rest of the world 454 00:20:34,130 --> 00:20:36,600 in total opposition to what he's doing -- 455 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:40,550 from Asia to South America to Europe to acr- -- 456 00:20:40,550 --> 00:20:41,900 around the world. 457 00:20:41,900 --> 00:20:44,640 And so, it's going to be a cold day for Russia. 458 00:20:45,180 --> 00:20:47,350 The idea -- you don't see a whole lot of people 459 00:20:47,350 --> 00:20:48,990 coming to his defense. 460 00:20:49,790 --> 00:20:51,080 >> The Press: And are you -- are you -- 461 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:52,290 if I could follow-up, sir. 462 00:20:52,290 --> 00:20:55,130 Are you urging China to help isolate Russia? 463 00:20:55,130 --> 00:20:57,330 Are you urging China to help isolate Russia? 464 00:20:58,450 --> 00:20:59,650 >> The President: I'm not prepared 465 00:20:59,650 --> 00:21:01,299 to comment on that at the moment. 466 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:08,220 (Cross-talk) 467 00:21:08,220 --> 00:21:09,610 >> The Press: Mr. President -- 468 00:21:09,610 --> 00:21:12,180 >> The President: Wait. No, no. Yeah. 469 00:21:13,410 --> 00:21:16,040 No, no, no. He's had his hand up a long time. 470 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:17,300 >> The Press: Thank you, Mr. President. 471 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:20,750 How concerned are you that Putin wants to go beyond Ukraine 472 00:21:20,750 --> 00:21:22,120 into other countries and the U.S. 473 00:21:22,120 --> 00:21:24,640 will have to get involved if he moves into NATO countries? 474 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:25,870 >> The President: Well, if he did move 475 00:21:25,870 --> 00:21:27,380 into NATO countries, he will be involved -- 476 00:21:27,380 --> 00:21:28,580 we will be involved. 477 00:21:28,580 --> 00:21:30,390 The only thing that I'm convinced of is: 478 00:21:30,390 --> 00:21:32,500 If we don't stop now, he'll be emboldened. 479 00:21:33,270 --> 00:21:34,960 If we don't move against him now 480 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:37,920 with these significant sanctions, 481 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:39,720 he will be emboldened. 482 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:43,140 Look, you know, every -- well, anyway. 483 00:21:43,140 --> 00:21:44,430 >> The Press: And can you talk 484 00:21:44,430 --> 00:21:46,430 anything more about your conversation -- 485 00:21:47,710 --> 00:21:57,940 (Cross-talk) 486 00:21:58,490 --> 00:22:03,160 >> The President: I'm sorry, I can't hear you. 487 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:05,340 >> The Press: Sir, India, which is a major defense partner 488 00:22:05,340 --> 00:22:07,950 of the United States -- is India with -- 489 00:22:07,950 --> 00:22:10,450 fully with you on the issue of Ukraine and Russia? 490 00:22:11,310 --> 00:22:12,620 >> The President: Does the Defense Department 491 00:22:12,620 --> 00:22:13,830 of the United States -- 492 00:22:13,830 --> 00:22:16,600 >> The Press: Sir, India is one of your major defense partners. 493 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:20,650 Is India fully in sync with United States on Russia? 494 00:22:20,650 --> 00:22:21,870 >> The President: We're going to be -- 495 00:22:21,870 --> 00:22:24,420 we're in consultation with -- with India today. 496 00:22:24,420 --> 00:22:26,150 We haven't resolved that completely. 497 00:22:26,150 --> 00:22:27,370 >> The Press: One more question -- 498 00:22:27,370 --> 00:22:28,600 (Cross-talk.) 499 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:30,200 >> The President: Okay, thank you all very much. 500 00:22:31,070 --> 00:22:35,200 Thank you.