U.S., G7 allies to hold Russia accountable after attack on Ukraine – Biden

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with his counterparts from the Group of Seven allies early Thursday to map out more severe measures against Russia after President Vladimir Putin launched what Biden called “a premeditated war” against Ukraine.

Biden, who spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy late on Wednesday, said the United States and its allies will respond in “a united and decisive way” to what he called “an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces” on Ukraine.

“President (Vladimir) Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.

It came shortly after Putin told Russian state TV he had authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine and explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the breakaway eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. read more .

The White House said Biden was briefed late Wednesday by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other top advisers. He planned to deliver remarks in the early afternoon to announce “the further consequences the United States and our allies and partners will impose on Russia,” the White House said.

The U.S. president said Washington would also coordinate with NATO allies “to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the alliance.”