Russian Forces Launch Invasion on Ukraine
President Biden Announces New, Stricter Sanctions
(Daro Sulakauri via Getty Images)
Russian forces launched a full-scale assault on Ukraine early Thursday morning, the latest move in a war lasting more than 8 years and the largest military attack between European nations since the end of WWII.
Russian troops invaded Ukraine from the north, south and east of the country, causing many dozens of casualties and targeting many major cities, including the capital Kyiv. As night falls in Ukraine, many Ukrainians have left Kyiv or taken shelter within the city’s borders.
Thursday afternoon, President Biden addressed the United States and the world from the White House — announcing new sanctions against Russia and authorizing troops to join member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The president said that Russian President Vladymir Putin was the “aggressor” in the situation, reacting to a “made-up threat.”
“If we don’t move against him now with these significant sanctions, he will be emboldened,” Biden said.
The European Union will meet Thursday to impose harsher sanctions on Russia. The EU intends to curb trade to Russia, attempting to sever the economic ties and Europe’s dependency on Russian oil.
Members of NATO will hold a summit tomorrow, Feb. 25. According to Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty, if one member of NATO is attacked, all other members of NATO must respond.
President Biden stated in his speech Thursday that Article V still stands and will be enforced: “The United States will defend every inch of NATO territory. An attack on one is an attack on all.”
Below are links to resources for folks hoping to educate themselves, get involved and provide aid to Ukrainian people:
The Kyiv Independent newspaper
Nova Ukraine — Humanitarian aid to Ukraine organized in Palo Alto, CA
United Help Ukraine — Medical aid and humanitarian relief for front lines
QUA - LGBTQ Ukrainians in America — First non-governmental organization of LGBTQ Ukrainians and their allies in the U.S., organizes protests in support of Ukrainian peoples