Biden Pledges to ‘Respond Forcefully’ if Russia Targets Americans in Ukraine

In a White House address Tuesday, President Biden pledged to to “respond forcefully” if Russia targets Americans in any potential attack on Ukraine. He also promised to defend America’s NATO allies with the “full force of American power” amid the heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, though he also specified he would not send U.S. troops to defend Ukraine, which is not part of the alliance.

“Make no mistake, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power,” Biden said. “An attack against one NATO country is an attack against all of us.”

Biden clarified that the U.S. would not deploy American troops to Ukraine but would send support to the country’s military if a conflict breaks out.