US, Allies to Meet over Ukraine as Battle for Donbas begins

U.S. President Joe Biden will convene a secure video call with allies and partners today to discuss continued support for Ukraine, the White House said Monday evening, TURAN's U.S, correspondent reports.

The move comes just hours after Kyiv announced Russia had launched a major new offensive in the east of the country.

The meeting, announced on Biden's schedule, will also cover "efforts to hold Russia accountable," the White House said.

Washington and its allies have heaped pressure on Moscow via sanctions, while supporting Ukraine through military and other aid.

Asked by TURAN's correspondent on Monday whether new sanctions would soon be announced, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington would "continue to escalate our financial sanctions and other economic measures against the Russian Federation until and unless Moscow relents in its campaign against Ukraine."

"We have not yet seen that, and we'll continue to raise the costs," he added.

No timeline on a potential new sanctions package was given.

TURAN also asked Ned Price about Putin's honoring the army unit accused of the Bucha massacre.

It “would not be surprising to see the Russian Federation herald, honor those who may have been involved in some of the worst atrocities of this conflict"” he said adding that actions of Russia's forces "are not rogue acts."

"These are not the rogue acts of a single Russian service member or even a small group... This was a premeditated, preconceived campaign of brutality" against the govt of Ukraine, the territorial integrity of the state of Ukraine & the people of Ukraine, Price said.

The fact is that Russia, more than just launching an invasion, more than just launching a war... "is undertaking a campaign of terror," Price said. "A campaign of brutality, a campaign of despicable aggression against the people of Ukraine."

Washington is also looking at designating Russia as a "state sponsor of terrorism".

"We are going to evaluate the criteria that is defined by statute against the evidence and the facts, and if those evidence and the facts present an opportunity to use any particular authority and if that authority will prove effective, we won’t hesitate to do it," Price said.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.