The US imposes sanctions on Russian banks and sending helicopters to Poland
20:37
Joe Biden announced the imposition of sanctions on Russia in response to the recognition of two separatist republics and the invasion of Russian troops there. F-35 and Apache fighters will be sent to NATO's eastern flank.
"I intend to launch sanctions in response to Russia's actions that go well beyond what we and our allies took in 2014," the US president warned, referring to the anti-Russian sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Crimea.
The restrictions are to apply to Russian banks, including VEB.RF and Promswiazbank (PSB), as well as Russian oligarchs and their family members. The sanctions will also affect the trade in Russian public debt, as the Russian government will be cut off from Western financing.
Biden also announced that the United States would support NATO's eastern flank by sending additional troops there. According to the Reuters agency, which cites a source in the Pentagon, the US is to send 800 Italian infantry soldiers to the Baltic states. They will also deploy 20 AH-64 Apache combat helicopters from Germany. On the other hand, 12 AH-64 Apache helicopters will be delivered to Poland, which will be transferred from Greece.
"We want to send a clear signal that the United States and its allies will defend every inch of NATO territory and stick to the commitments we have made within the Alliance," the US president announced.
