The media in attendance at President Joe Biden’s news conference pushed for answers. The president spoke to the nation after Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning.
NBC White House correspondent Peter Alexander wanted to know why Biden didn’t order the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) to disconnect Russia.
“You detailed some severe and swift new sanctions today and said the impact it will have over time. Given the full scale invasion, given that you’re not pursuing disconnecting Russia from what’s called SWIFT, the international banking system, or other sanctions at your disposal. Respectfully, sir, what more are you waiting for?” asked Alexander.
Biden responded by stating that the sanctions levied against Russia exceed what anyone has done in the past.
“The sanctions we imposed exceed anything that’s ever been done,” Biden said. “The sanctions we imposed have generated two-thirds of the world joining us. They are profound sanctions. Let’s have a conversation in another month or so to see if they’re working.”
The sanctions will target Russian banks, elites, and high-tech commerce. “That means every asset they have in America will be frozen,” Biden said.
Biden added that he has no place to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, the president defended his actions regarding the sanctions and stated that they would take time to test Putin and how much he wants to put his people at risk.
“No one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening. This could take time, and we have to show resolve so he knows what’s coming and so the people of Russia know what he’s brought on them. That’s what this is all about,” Biden said.
“This is going to take time. This is not going to occur; he’s going to say, ‘Oh my G-d, these sanctions are coming, I’m going to stand down.’ He’s going to test the resolve of the West to see if we stay together, and we will. We will, and it will impose significant costs on him.”
Several reporters pressed Biden, including CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins asked the president why he didn’t sanction Putin immediately, a question the president did not answer.
