US president Joe Biden predicted that Russia would “move in” on Ukraine, and warned that an invasion would be a “disaster” for Vladimir Putin, as he urged the west to remain united in holding Moscow “accountable” for any aggression.
At a news conference in Washington on Wednesday, Biden said that Russia would “pay a stiff price, immediately, short term, medium term and long term” in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.
But he acknowledged that there were still “differences” among western allies about the punishment for Moscow. “It’s very important that we keep everyone in Nato on the same page. That’s what I’m spending a lot of time doing. And there are differences . . . in Nato as to what countries are willing to do,” he said.