New sanctions will isolate Russia in event of any further aggression against Ukraine - Nuland

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said this on Tuesday, December 7, testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on U.S. policy toward Russia, Ukrinform reports.

"The intent is to make clear that the initial sanctions in response to further aggressive moves in Ukraine will extremely significant and isolating for Russia and for Russian business and for the Russian people," she said.

Nuland stressed that President Joe Biden conveyed this to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a virtual meeting on December 7, warning him of serious losses and consequences of any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"The president conveyed to him today that this will be different than it was in 2014 if he goes on," Nuland added. She also noted that there is a plan if Russia decides to invade Ukraine: "We are talking about day one measures, day five measures, day ten measures."

According to Nuland, Biden "made it crystal clear to President Putin today that the issue who joins NATO is an issue for NATO to decide, an issue for applicant countries to decide." "No other outside power will or may have a veto or a vote in those decisions," she said.

Nuland also noted that the promotion of the Nord Stream-2 project will in no way affect Putin's decision on further aggression against Ukraine. The main role here, she believes, is played by Putin's "regret" at the fall of the Soviet Union and his assertion that Ukrainians and Russians are "one people."

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