Biden says Putin is 'banking on us losing interest' in continuing sanctions, but the US can aid Ukraine for 'a long time'

• President Joe Biden said the West must "maintain unity" in continuing sanctions against Russia.
• He added that he knows Russian President Vladimir Putin is banking on the world to "lose interest."

President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "banking on us losing interest" in sanctioning Russia, but added that the US has the capacity to send aid to Ukraine for "a long time."

At a press conference from the White House, Biden announced new restrictions that will "ratchet up the pressure to further isolate Russia on the world stage."

"Today I am announcing that the United States will ban Russian affiliated ships from our ports as they did in Europe," the President continued.

"That means no ship that sails under the Russian flag, or is owned or operated by Russian interest will be allowed to dock in a United States port or access our shores," he said.

He said this is another step we are taking with partners in the European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada to "deny Russia benefits of an international economic system."

Biden noted that after nearly two months of war, Putin has failed to achieve what he set out to do in Ukraine and on the battlefield.

"Kyiv still stands. President Zelenskyy ... still remains in power," Biden said.

But Biden acknowledged that Putin is banking on the US and its allies "losing interest" and said that Putin is betting on Western cooperation to crack.

"Once again, we're going to prove him wrong. ... We're going to continue to stand with the brave and proud people of Ukraine," Biden said.

Biden also announced the US would send $800 million worth of aid to Ukraine, including heavy artillery, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and more drones.

When asked by a reporter how long the US can maintain military support for Ukraine, Biden responded by saying "we have the capacity to do this for a long time." But he added that he will ask Congress to authorize more aid as he has nearly exhausted the authority already provided by lawmakers.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.