Washington. February 26. INTERFAX - US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he believes it is right to choose the sanctions path against Russia, because otherwise, in his opinion, a world war could happen.
"We had two options: start World War III, go to war with Russia physically, or ensure that a country whose actions are so contrary to international law eventually pays for what it does," Biden said in an interview with actor Brian Tyler Cohen on his YouTube channel.
According to the American president, from the very beginning his goal was to "make sure that there is mutual understanding between NATO and the Europeans" about measures against Russia.
"Because the only thing that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, as it seemed to him, could do this by dividing NATO. This did not happen. There was complete unanimity," Biden said.
In the early morning of February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special military operation in Ukraine. Western countries have responded by imposing sanctions against Russia.
In particular, earlier the United States announced sanctions against Russian banks, restrictions for the Russian elite and export restrictions.