Washington: The US will ban Russian flights from its airspace.
The US Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration said orders blocking Russian aircraft and airlines from entering and using all US airspace will be fully in effect by the end of Wednesday.
The orders suspend operations of all aircraft owned, certified, operated, registered, chartered, leased, or controlled by, for, or for the benefit of, any Russian citizen.
This includes passenger and cargo flights, and scheduled as well as charter flights that will “effectively close US air space to all Russian commercial air carriers and other Russian civil aircraft,” the department said.
Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers, has announced it is cutting ties with its Russian partners.
The US aeroplane maker said it would suspend all major operations in Moscow and will no longer provide technical support or maintenance, or parts, for Russian aircraft.
Exxon Mobil has also said it will exit Russia’s oil and gas operations that it has valued at more than $4b and halt new investment as a result of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decision will see Exxon pull out of managing large oil and gas production facilities on Sakhalin Island in Russia’s the Far East, and puts the fate of a proposed multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility there in doubt, Reuters reports.
“We deplore Russia’s military action that violates the territorial integrity of Ukraine and endangers its people,” the company said in a statement critical of the intensifying military attacks.
US president Joe Biden says Russian president Vladimir Putin must “pay a price” for his actions in Ukraine.
In his State of the Union speech, held at Capitol Hill 9.30 pm EST, Biden said:
“Throughout our history, we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.
That’s why the Nato alliance was created to secure peace and stability in Europe after World War 2. The United States is a member along with 29 other nations. It matters. American diplomacy matters.
Putin’s war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected efforts at diplomacy. He thought the west and Nato wouldn’t respond. And he thought he could divide us here at home. Putin was wrong. We were ready.
Putin has unleashed violence and chaos. But while he may make gains on the battlefield – he will pay a continuing high price over the long run.”
Biden also delivered a clear message to Russian oligarchs:
“Tonight I say to the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime no more. The US Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs. We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts your luxury apartments your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains.”
The US president detailed economic sanctions, such as the decision to cut off Russia’s largest banks from the international financial system and “choking off” Russia’s access to technology that will “sap its economic strength and weaken its military” for years to come.
Biden’s State of the Union speech promised an “unwavering resolve” that “freedom will always triumph over tyranny”.
Read some of the key excerpts below:
“Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the foundations of the free world thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated.
He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would rollover. Instead, he met a wall of strength he never imagined.
He met the Ukrainian people.
From President Zelenskiy to every Ukrainian, their fearlessness, their courage, their determination, inspires the world.
Groups of citizens block tanks with their bodies. Everyone from students to retirees teachers turned into soldiers defending their homeland …
Throughout our history, we’ve learned this lesson when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression they cause more chaos. They keep moving.
Putin’s latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the west and Nato wouldn’t respond. And he thought he could divide us at home.
Putin was wrong. We were ready. Here is what we did. We prepared extensively and carefully.”
Biden then said the free world will hold the Russian president accountable.
We are inflicting pain on Russia and supporting the people of Ukraine. Putin is now isolated from the world more than ever.
Putin has unleashed violence and chaos. But while he may make gains on the battlefield – he will pay a continuing high price over the long run.
When the history of this era is written Putin’s war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.
In the battle between democracy and autocracy, democracies are rising to the moment, and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security.
This is a real test. It’s going to take time. So let us continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people.
Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks, but he will never gain the hearts and souls of the Ukrainian people.
He will never extinguish their love of freedom. He will never weaken the resolve of the free world.”
Biden has also announced the US has worked with 30 other countries to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world.