Donald Trump Called Russian President Vladimir Putin "Pretty Savvy" Over Move On Ukraine; Pres. Joe Biden Imposes New Sanctions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin's move on Ukraine, while also calling the Russian president "pretty savvy" for his military strategy.

Putin announced the mobilization of military forces for a "peacekeeping mission" while he also labeled rebel regions Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic as independent, according to a Newsweek report.

Western leaders slammed Putin's move, with U.S. President Joe Biden imposing new sanctions. Many believe it will not be enough of a hindrance for the Russian president.

Trump said that the situation "never would have happened" if he was the sitting president. He told his sentiments to Clay Travis and Buck Sexton. However, the former U.S. president also said that he was watching the news unfold, adding that he thought of the situation "genius."

Former White House Russia advisor Fiona Hill said that Trump's foreign policy had paved the way where Russia feels it can invade Ukraine, according to a Business Insider report.

Hill added that Trump's foreign policy was driven by personal interests and impulses and not by concern about the U.S. national interest.

The former White House advisor then said that never once that Trump did anything to put Americans first.

U.S. President Joe Biden's New Sanctions on Russia Amid Ukraine Invasion

Biden announced on Tuesday sanctions on major Russian bank VEB and its military bank, including the country's sovereign debt and on three individuals.

The bank sanctions will refrain American financial institutions from processing transactions for VEB and for Russia's military bank, PSB.

It would effectively cut the banks out of transactions involving U.S. dollars, which is the global reserve currency, according to a CNBC News report.

The U.S. president also announced that the U.S. would impose sanctions on Russia's sovereign debt.

Biden said that they have cut off Russia's government from Western financing.

The Biden administration had also imposed sanctions on the two sons of high-ranking Russian government officials.

Biden noted that the adult children members of Putin's inner circle benefit from the Kremlin policies, adding that "they ought to share in the pain as well."

Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Putin has sent his military troops on a "peacekeeping mission" to Ukraine, which would mean that Russia will formally occupy sovereign Ukraine territory the second time after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Putin also signed a document allowing him to establish military bases or place missiles in the territories, according to The Guardian report.

Putin has implied that he questions Ukraine's right to statehood, calling it an "artificial construct of the Soviet Union."

In addition, the Russian president through a Western-leaning Ukraine can pose a threat to Russia, and called the possibility of NATO membership for Ukraine a "red line" for the Kremlin.

The Minsk peace deal was created containing a ceasefire agreement. It is now considered void.

Russia has gathered more than 190,000 troops along the Ukrainian border and is positioned to launch an attack, threatening Kyiv.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Biden says Russia has begun an invasion of Ukraine, announces sanctions | Special Report - from CBS News