Joe Biden issues ultimatum to Putin: US will strike back if Russia attacks
JOE BIDEN has warned the Russian President that now is the time to de-escalate tensions at the Ukrainian border and "refrain from military action".
Russia: Expert on ‘possible launch against USA and its allies’
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, the US President also warned Vladimir Putin that a series of US sanctions on Russia could have been a lot tougher. But Mr Biden claimed he did not want to worsen already high tensions with Moscow.
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He said: “I was clear with President Putin we couldn't have gone further, but I chose not to do so.
“I chose to be proportionate. The United States is not looking to kick off a cycle of escalation and conflict with Russia. We want a stable predictable relationship.”
The US President also warned that if Russia were to retaliate, then American will push back stronger.
He said: “I urged [Putin] to respond appropriately, not to exceed it, because we can move as well.”
Mr Biden added: “If Russia continues to interfere with our democracy. I'm prepared to take further actions to respond. It is my responsibility as president of the United States to do so.
“Where Russia seeks to violate the interests of the United States we will respond. We will always stand in defence of our country, our institutions, our people and our allies.”
The US President has offered to hold a summit with Mr Putin in Europe this summer in a bid to resolve the escalating tensions.
Russia’s actions on the Ukrainian border and violations of a cease-fire agreement in the Crimea have alarmed Washington and European leaders.
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