Biden: US, West to step pressure on Russia, support Ukraine further on

"These attacks [by Russia] only further reinforce our commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes," Biden said.

"Alongside our allies and partners, we will continue to impose costs on Russia for its aggression," Biden’s written statement reads.

The US leader claims that Russia is responsible for what he describes as "atrocities and war crimes," and stresses the United States’ determination to "hold [President Vladimir] Putin and Russia accountable" and to "provide the support necessary for Ukrainian forces to defend their country and their freedom."

"The United States strongly condemns Russia’s missile strikes today across Ukraine, including in Kiev," Biden says. These attacks "destroyed targets with no military purpose," he argues.

He called on Russia to end immediately what he described as "unprovoked aggression" and to "remove its troops from Ukraine."