'This is the beginning of an invasion' - US order sanctions against Russian oligarchs, banks

Mr Biden added that he was authorising the movement of some US troops in Europe to Nato’s Baltic allies as a show of support and solidarity amid the Russian threat

President Joe Biden during an address earlier this evening. Picture: Alex Brandon/AP

President Joe Biden has announced that the US is ordering heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs, declaring that Moscow had flagrantly violated international law by invading Ukraine.

“None of us will be fooled” by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims about Ukraine, the US president said.