President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled new, “devastating” sanctions on Russia meant to punish the country for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin for his aggression, writes CNN.

“Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences”, - Biden said, laying out a set of sanctions including export controls that will “impose severe cost on the Russian economy, both immediately and over time”.

Biden said the new sanctions also include four Russian banks and “corrupt billionaires” and their families who are close to the Kremlin.

And he announced a new deployment of ground and air forces to NATO’s eastern flank, even as he reiterated US troops would not engage in direct conflict in Ukraine.

“Our forces are not and will not be engaged in the conflict”, - he said. “Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine but defend our NATO allies and reassure those allies in the east”.

Biden addressed the nation from the White House East Room, his first appearance in public since the Russian attack commenced late Wednesday. In written statements, Biden deemed Russia’s assault a “premeditated war” and vowed to hold the country accountable.