If Russia Invades Ukraine, The US May Sanction Putin Personally, According To Biden.
If Russia invades Ukraine, US President Joe Biden says he will explore personal penalties on Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Biden stated that a move by Russia against the country on its south-western border would have "enormous ramifications" for the world.
His remarks came as other Western leaders warned that if Russia invaded, it would pay a high price.
Russia has accused the US and others of "escalating tensions" over the matter, and has stated that it has no plans to invade Ukraine.
Moscow, on the other hand, has stationed an estimated 100,000 troops near the border.
The Kremlin has stated that it views Nato, the Western military alliance, as a security danger and has demanded formal assurances that it will not admit new members further east, including Ukraine. However, the United States has stated that the problem at hand is Russian aggression, not Nato expansion.
Western embassies in Kyiv have withdrawn some personnel due to fears of invasion.
On Wednesday, diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France will meet in Paris to discuss the growing tensions.
On Tuesday, when asked if he could envision himself personally implementing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin in the case of an invasion, Mr Biden said "absolutely."
A move beyond Ukraine's border would have "global ramifications" and may amount to "the greatest invasion since World War II," he claimed.
Foreign leaders such as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have all faced US sanctions in the past. Blocking property and transactions relating to the leaders' countries was one of the measures used.
Mr. Biden also stated that if Russia invaded, he would feel obligated to increase Nato's position in Eastern Europe. However, he reiterated that the US has no plans to send troops to Ukraine.