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What had the West committed to by 26 February 2022?
Summary
A look back at the Western measures announced in the first days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
What had Ukraine's partners actually put on the table by 26 February 2022? Two announcements, made in the preceding two days, set out the early shape of the Western response to the invasion.
On 24 February 2022, US President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of an additional 7,000 US troops to Germany. The move was presented as support for NATO allies during the crisis.
On 25 February 2022, the European Union announced new sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion. They targeted the country's financial, energy and transport sectors, and covered visa policy, export controls and a ban on export financing.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. She said the sanctions were meant to have a maximum impact on the Russian economy and political elite.
Together, the two steps combined a military reinforcement of allied territory with economic pressure on Russia.
