Biden Keeps Up Pressure On Putin To Pull Back Russian Troops, End Ukraine Crisis

President Joe Biden on Tuesday welcomed Russian overtures toward ending a crisis in Ukraine, but reiterated that he was ready to respond with overwhelming economic sanctions if an invasion occurs.

“We should give diplomacy every chance to succeed,” Biden said in brief remarks from the East Room of the White House. “We will not sacrifice basic principles, though.”

Those principles, he said, include Ukraine’s sovereignty and its right to territorial integrity.

“The United States is prepared no matter what happens,” he said, noting that “an invasion remains distinctly possible.”