Vice President Joe Biden warned Friday that Russia “cannot be allowed to redraw the map of Europe” and that Ukraine was suffering a “military onslaught” from Moscow.
As the leaders of Germany and France headed to Russia for peace talks with President Vladimir Putin, Biden said the United States and Europe needed to stand together over Ukraine.
“President Putin continues to call for new peace plans as his troops roll through the Ukrainian countryside,” Biden said as he arrived in Brussels to meet European Council President Donald Tusk. “He absolutely ignores every agreement that his country has signed. This is a moment the United States and Europe must stand together. Stand Firm. Russia cannot be allowed to redraw the map of Europe. Because that's exactly what they are doing.”
Biden added that Russia “continues to escalate the conflict by sending mercenaries in tanks,” accusing Moscow of sending special operations soldiers over the border in uniforms without identification marks. “As we say in the U.S. ‘little green men without patches,’” Biden said.
He did not address White House deliberations on whether to supply weapons to Ukrainian forces who are fighting pro-Russia separatists in the east of the country.
IN-DEPTH
- German, French Leaders to Deliver Peace Plan to Putin
- Kerry: We Won't 'Close Our Eyes' To Russian Tanks
- Army Commander: Ukraine Strategy Needs More Than Weapons
