US Ambassador to Kosovo: Putin chose war, we remain united with Ukraine

He on a Facebook note has said it was Russian President Vladimir Putin who chose the war.

The American diplomat says the world remains united about assistance offered to Ukraine.

“By choosing to pay for a war instead of investing in the needs of the Russians, the invasion of Ukraine by Putin will be a strategic failure for the Kremlin and will destroy the future of the Russian people. When the history of this era is written, it will be shown that Putin's choice to launch an unpronounced, unjust and deliberate attack left the West the most unified and more exponentially”, he wrote.

Full Posting:

This is a dangerous moment for Europe and the world's freedom of mind. Starting his brutal attack on the people of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has also carried out an attack on principles that support global peace and democracy. But the Ukrainian people are flexible. They have had a democracy for decades and their bravery is inspiring the world. The United States, together with our allies and partners around the globe, will continue to support the Ukrainian people while defending their country. By choosing to pay for a war instead of investing in Russian needs, the invasion of Ukraine by Putin will be a strategic failure for the Kremlin and will destroy the future of the Russian people. When the history of this era is written, it will be shown that Putin's choice to launch an unpronounced, unjust and deliberate attack left the West the most unified and ever weaker in exponential ways.

United in Our Answer

This will not end well for Vladimir Putin. Together, the United States and our allies and partners are taking action to hold Russia responsible. As a result of the unprecedented co-ordination of global sanctions, the United States, Great Britain, the European Union, Japan and Canada have removed selected Russian banks from the SWIFT message system and imposed restrictive measures on the Russian Central Bank. President Biden announced sweeping financial sanctions and strict export controls that would harm the economy, Russia's financial system and access to more advanced technology. After Putin began his conquest, the ruble struck its weakest point in history and the Russian stock exchange fell. Along with Great Britain and the European Union, the United States imposed sanctions on the architects of this war, including Putin himself.

Walking in close co-ordination with a strong coalition of allies and partners representing more than half of the global economy, we have enhanced the impact of our actions to impose maximum costs on Putin and his regime. In response to Putin's chosen war, we will limit Russia's ability to do business in dollars. We will prevent Russia's ability to finance and raise its army. We will harm Russia's ability to compete in the global economy. And we're prepared to do more.

In addition to economic penalties, President Beden authorized additional $350 million in security to help Ukraine immediately defend itself, bringing total American security assistance to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion. We are also willing to defend our NATO allies. President Biden has co-ordinated with allied governments to position thousands of additional forces in Germany and Poland as part of our commitment to NATO collective defence. He authorized the delocation of the already deployed land and air forces in Europe in NATO's eastern and southeastern wings -- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. Our allies have also increased their strengths and capabilities to ensure our collective protection. There should be no doubt about the willingness of the largest military Alliance in world history: NATO is more united than ever.

The United States has also co-ordinated with major production and oil consumption countries to underline our common interest in providing global energy supplies. We are working with energy companies to increase their capacity to supply the energy market, especially with price hikes.

Putin's Unproached and Conseminated War

This was an attack Vladimir Putin had long planned. It methodically displaced more than 150,000 troops and military equipment to the Ukrainian border. He established blood supplies and built hospitals in the field, demonstrating his intentions all the time. He dismissed any efforts of good faith from the United States and our allies and partners to address his fabricated security concerns and avoid unnecessary conflicts and human suffering by engaging in diplomacy and dialogue.

Putin executed his book of games just as we had warned him he would. We saw Russia's representatives add their grants to Donbas. We saw the Russian government launch cyber operations against Ukraine. We saw a political theater organised in Moscow and heard strange and baseless claims made to Ukraine in an attempt to justify Russia's aggression. Russia continues to justify its military aggression by falsely claiming the need to stop “the genocide” in Ukraine despite no evidence that genocide was taking place there. We saw Russia use these tactics earlier when it invaded Ukraine in 2014 and Georgia in 2008.

And then, almost at the same moment, the United Nations Security Council was gathering to stand for Ukraine's sovereignty and prevent disaster, Putin began his invasion in opposition to international law. The missiles began to rain, hitting historic cities across Ukraine. Next came air strikes, tanks and battalions, all riding on a renewed wave of dezinformation and complete lies.

We've been transparent with the world. We declassified our intelligence for Russia's plans, so that there would be no confusion and no coverage. Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now his men will bear the consequences of his decision to invest in war rather than in them.

Transatlantic Unity and the Stronger Solution Than Ever

Putin's goal to divide the West has failed. Facing one of the most important challenges for European security and democratic ideals since World War II, the United States and our allies and partners have joined in solidarity. We have joined, intensively co-ordinating to engage as one with Russia and Ukraine, to offer assistance to Ukraine, to develop a broad and massive response and to reaffirm our commitment to NATO.

Putin has failed to separate us. Putin has failed to undermine our common belief in the fundamental right of sovereign nations to choose their own destiny and their allies. And Putin will fail to wipe out the proud Ukrainian nation.

The days, weeks and months to come will be very difficult for the people of Ukraine. Putin has caused them great suffering. But the Ukrainian people have known 30 years of independence and have consistently shown that they will not tolerate anyone trying to bring their country back. The world is looking closely at this conflict and if Russian forces commit atrocities, we will explore all international mechanisms that can be used to bring the responsibilities to both members of the military and their civil leadership before responsibility.

Putin's aggression against Ukraine will cost Russia much, both economically and strategically. The Russian people deserve better from his government than the great cost to their future that this invasion has caused.

Freedom, democracy, and human dignity are forces far more powerful than fear and oppression. In the race between democracy and autocratia, between sovereignty and submission, do not err: freedom will prevail. /Periscope. com/