White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. File photoWASHINGTON, Jan 20 The White House said the United States and allies intend to give Russia a «quick and tough response» in the event of an escalation of the situation around Ukraine, while once again providing no evidence of aggressive intentions attributed to Moscow .
"President Biden made it clear to the President of Russia: if the Russian armed forces cross the border of Ukraine, this … will be met with a swift, tough and unified response from the United States and its allies" statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
The US administration official added that, according to Washington, «Russia has a vast arsenal of non-combat means of aggression, which include hacker attacks, among other things.» “Today, the President (Joe Biden) confirmed that these acts of Russian aggression will be given a decisive and united response,” Psaki said, referring to an earlier press conference by the US leader. Speaking at the tenth press conference summing up the first year in office President of the United States, Biden on Wednesday threatened Russia with a «catastrophe» in the event of an escalation of the crisis around Ukraine. At the same time, he expressed the opinion that the Russian leader in this situation is «checking the West», but does not seek a full-scale war with him. Russia with «never seen» sanctionsRussia has repeatedly rejected the accusations of the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», saying that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to deploy more military equipment NATO near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. At the same time, Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» sides of Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone.