Biden has no intention to send US troops to fight in Ukraine: White House

Washington will respond to Russia with strong economic measures, says spokesperson

WASHINGTON:

President Joe Biden has no intention of sending US troops to fight in Ukraine, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Thursday.

"That has not changed," Psaki said at a press conference.

She said Washington will respond to Russia with strong economic measures due to its military intervention in Ukraine.

Asked about the possibility of nuclear war after Russian President Vladimir Putin said there would be "consequences" for those defending Ukraine, Psaki said "we don’t see any increased threat in that regard at this time".

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Psaki also said the US is prepared to provide "a significant amount more" of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

"In terms of humanitarian assistance, we have been the biggest provider of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. We've provided over $52 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the past year. Over the past few weeks, we've committed additional funding and supplies to humanitarian organisations," she added.

Putin announced a military intervention in Ukraine early Thursday, days after recognising two breakaway enclaves in eastern Ukraine, drawing international condemnation and vowed to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree early Friday on a general mobilisation of the population as Russian attacks continued. He said 137 people including civilians were killed in Russia's military operation on the first day.

In recent weeks, US officials have accused Russia of amassing more than 150,000 troops around Ukraine to launch a military attack, but Moscow repeatedly denied any intent to launch an invasion.