Biden claims alternative to huge anti-Russia sanctions is World War III

US President Joe Biden has tried to justify massive – though yet ineffective – Western sanctions against Russia over its military operation in Ukraine, by claiming that only other alternative would be to start a “Third World War.”

"You have two options. Start a Third World War; go to war with Russia, physically, or to make sure that the country that acts so contrary to international law ends up paying a price for having done it," Biden sarcastically claimed in an interview with progressive political podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen.

In an attempt to further bolster the US-led anti-Russia bans, Biden incoherently added “I think these sanctions, I know these sanctions are the broadest sanctions in history, and economic sanctions and political sanctions."

He also appeared to suggest the ineffectiveness of the vastly publicized sanctions, saying: "There's no sanction that is immediate. It's not like you can sanction someone and say you no longer are gonna be able to be uh, the president of [laughs] Russia.”

Russia began what President Putin characterized as a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Thursday together with its Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republic allies aimed at "demilitarizing and denazifying" the country.

We had no other choice, says Putin after launching Ukraine operation

Russia’s president says he had no other choice than launching a military operation in Ukraine.

"The purpose of this operation is to protect people who, for eight years now, have been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kiev regime," Putin explained.

Washington and its European allies have imposed multiple rounds of sanctions against Russian officials, businessmen, banks and entire economic sectors in response to the operation, with the White House vowing on Saturday that the US and its allies will kick certain Russian banks out of a major international banking system.

The US president went on to claim that his "goal from the very beginning" was to keep the US-led NATO military alliance and the European Union "on the same page."

"Because the one thing I think Putin thought he could do was split NATO, creating a big aperture for him to be able to walk through. And that hasn't happened if you noticed. It's been complete unanimity. And Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," Biden then boasted.

Pointing to proclaimed US unity with its European and Asian allies and the growing security partnership between NATO and Finland as well as Sweden, Biden further suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "producing the exact opposite effect that he intended."

“Not only is NATO more unified. Look at what's going on in terms of Finland. Look what's going on in terms of Sweden. Look what's going on in terms of other countries,” he added.

Republicans blame Biden for Russia’s actions in Ukraine

A number of Republican lawmakers blasted Biden

"All I know is that we have to stay the course with the rest of our allies. And in the meantime, we're supplying defensive weaponry and economic assistance to Ukraine," Biden further asserted.

Biden's remarks came after Finish Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated on Thursday that Russia’s move in Ukraine will change the debate around NATO membership within her country. Both Finland and Sweden have reportedly brushed off Russian warnings about potential "military and political consequences" if they attempt to join NATO.

 Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg earlier this week said he had invited Finland and Sweden to a virtual NATO summit.

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