The recent warning by the White House was that “the world needs to be ready for a very long and difficult road ahead” as Russia invades Ukraine for the 12th day. Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated that the United States would continue to support Ukraine as they “fight back”, but also maintained that U.S. troops would not be fighting in the country. She did not vow to ban Russian oil imports and will continue to support them.
According to the Office for the United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights, more than 400 people have died in Ukraine since Russia invaded 12 days ago. Another 800 have been hurt. Monday’s United Nations estimate also that 1,735,068 people have fled Ukraine since February 24.
This is barbaric. It is horrendous to see. Psaki stated Monday that there are 1.5 million refugees crossing the border. There are also children and mothers who have been killed on the side of the road. For those of us in public service, we have to be present in these moments. There are limits.
Psaki stated that the U.S. will not send troops to Ukraine to combat Russia. “The president won’t do that – this is what you must weigh as president of United States.” Instead, Psaki stated that the Biden administration will provide $1 billion in expedited security assistance for Ukraine.
Psaki stated that “I believe any world leader would tell me that Russia would not be accountable without the leadership of the United States and the United States mobilizing the world to hold Russia responsible,” he said. “So, we’re doing everything in our interests, in the interest of our NATO partners, to pressure President Putin and support the Ukrainians.”
Psaki stated that “We are very conscious of this here, and to be clear, this is going to remain a very, very hard period of time.” “The Ukrainians are fighting bravely. We’re standing behind them and supporting them. But Russia, you know. They are going to keep fighting and will continue to pursue President Putin’s ambitions.”
Psaki stated that the United States supports Ukraine’s “rights to fight back” and praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskyy for “leading” and his actions “fighting bravely, courageously over the course of the past 12 days.”
Psaki stated, “I believe it is also true” that the world must be ready for a long and difficult road ahead as they fight bravely. We stand with them and support them.
The comments by the White House come amid criticisms made by Zelenskyy about the United States’ insufficient assistance to Ukraine. Zelenskyy also reiterated Monday his call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine and pleaded with Western allies: “How many deaths or losses are still required to secure the skies over Ukraine?”
Ukraine is calling for a no-fly zone, while the Biden administration, as well as both Democratic and Republican legislators, have stated that they oppose such a move.
Zelenskyy also called Monday for “boycotts” of Russian oil imports to America and European countries.
Fox News Monday was informed by a source that the Administration is looking into imposing a ban on oil imports from Russia to America, but the official said that no decision had been taken at the moment. Russia is the third-largest producer of oil worldwide, but it would have a minimal impact on U.S. oil imports compared to its allies, officials from the administration told Fox News.
About one-third of Europe’s oil imports come from Russia. For the United States, however, Russian oil exports account for just 10% of total imports.
However, Zelenskyy is not the only one calling for a boycott of Russian oil imports – Democrats and Republicans in Congress also believe it might be time to ban Russian imports.
Both moderate Democrats and Republicans call for an increase in American energy production. GOP lawmakers have criticized the Biden administration’s decision to shut down U.S. oil pipelines.
The war in Ukraine continues, and Americans are paying the highest gas prices ever since 2008’s financial crisis. On average, the national average is more than $4 per gallon.
Psaki joked that there was a bill in Congress to ban Russian oil imports into the U.S. and that the president might sign it. “I don’t believe so.”
She said, “The president hasn’t made a decision at the moment in time.”
During this time, President Biden had a secure video conference with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The White House stated that the leaders “affirmed they are determined to continue raising the cost on Russia for its unprovoked, unjustified invasion in Ukraine.”
Psaki was asked if the White House is worried that economic sanctions from the West and Western companies suspending operations at Moscow could increase ties between Russia-China.
She stated that “we know they were closed before the invasion,” which she believes is an important component of this story. As it relates to economic ties, there is no way for China, purely based on their position in the economic market, to fully backfill the effects of the G-7 and other countries in the world as well as the financial sanctions.
