President Biden hailed the contributions of U.S. allies and strategic partners in imposing sanctions on Russia, highlighting his administration’s diplomatic efforts to work with Europe, Russia’s bigger trading partner.
“Putin is now isolated from the world, more than he has ever been,” Mr. Biden said. “Together, along with our allies, we are right now enforcing powerful economic sanctions.”
Mr. Biden mentioned the European Union–including France, Germany and Italy–as well as the U.K., Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland.
Mr. Biden’s comments on Russia’s invasion brought the chamber to its feet with a standing ovation and cheers of support for Ukraine within the first minutes of his address.
“Let each of us here tonight stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world and Ukraine,” Mr. Biden said, prompting lawmakers of both parties and other guests to rise and applaud. “Yes, we the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people.”
Mr. Biden’s speech opened with a denunciation of Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion last week into Ukraine and enumerating the sanctions and other measures the U.S. and its allies have taken against Moscow.
Mr. Biden also noted that one of the sanctions measures launched by the U.S. and EU bars Russia’s central bank from selling foreign currency to prop up the ruble. The action blocks the central bank from selling dollars, euros and other foreign currencies in its…
