In Wilmington today Pres. Joe Biden relayed more details about his recent conversation with Pres. Vladmir Putin of Russia.
"I made it clear to President Putin that if he makes any more moves and goes into Ukraine, we will have severe sanctions. We will increase our presence in Europe with our NATO Allies, and it will have to be a heavy price to pay for it," he told reporters as he was leaving a restaurant.
He said future negotiations with Russia would only continue if Russia de-escalates threats to Ukraine. Russia has stationed thousands of troops on the Ukraine border posing a threat. When asked if Russia will face sanctions if troops remain at the border the president repeated that an attack on Ukraine would cause the U.S. to apply sanctions.
" I’m not going to negotiate here in public, but we made it clear that he cannot -- I emphasize "cannot" -- move on Ukraine."
Mr. Biden said Putin will participate in three conferences in Europe that begin in mid-January,