Biden warns of ‘worse consequences’ if U.S. does not provide support to Ukraine

Supporting Ukraine against invasion by Russia while defending democracy and sovereignty is necessary to avoid “worse consequences,” Biden said during a news briefing with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday.

“The American people know that if we stand by in the face of such blatant attacks on liberty and democracy and the core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the world would surely face worse consequences,” Biden said.

“We understand in our bones that Ukraine’s fight is part of something much bigger.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is now in its 10th month, devastating the country’s infrastructure and resulting in millions of evacuees. Ukraine resisted the initial invasion and has been subjected to Russian air strikes and brutal fighting in the country’s east.

The United States and other allies have provided billions in dollars in military support, including a Patriot surface-to-air missile system and about $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine.

“American people are prepared to have us stand up to bullies, stand up for freedom. That’s who we are as Americans, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Biden said.

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