![Russia ridicules Biden's remarks about sanctioning Putin if Russia launches an invasion as U.S. pours weapons into Ukraine](https://cbsnews1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/12/31/ded1ad2c-dd05-41f9-85bd-18642adefa00/thumbnail/1200x630g2/45576922ddd36943b496a23e2bff4b66/cbsn-fusion-biden-discuss-ukraine-tensions-with-russian-president-vladimir-putin-thumbnail-864982-640x360.jpg)
Russia ridicules Biden's remarks about sanctioning Putin if Russia launches an invasion as U.S. pours weapons into Ukraine
CBSN
Russia on Wednesday dismissed the latest warning from President Joe Biden, who said the previous day that the U.S. could seek to sanction President Vladimir Putin personally if he sends forces across the border to invade Ukraine. Putin's spokesman said any such sanctions would be "destructive," but not "painful" because, according to the Kremlin press secretary, Russia's senior leaders don't hold overseas bank accounts or assets.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, President Biden said that Putting were to send the roughly 100,000 troops he's massed along Ukraine's borders into the U.S.-allied country, "it would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world."
Asked if his administration would sanction Putin personally, Mr. Biden replied: "Yes… I would see that."
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Sydney, Australia — A shark bit and killed a 17-year-old girl swimming off an eastern Australian island on Monday, officials said, in the country's third reported fatal attack in just over five weeks. Paramedics rushed to Woorim Beach in Queensland to treat the teenager, who had sustained serious injuries to her upper body, an ambulance service spokesperson said.
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Tel Aviv — American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel was among three hostages released by militants in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Saturday, more than 15 months after they were taken captive by Hamas. Siegel was freed in Gaza City about two hours after Israelis Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon were released in the southern city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military confirmed Siegel's transfer from militants to Red Cross personnel.
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Six Americans who had been detained in Venezuela in recent months were freed by the government of President Nicolás Maduro after he met Friday with a Trump administration official tasked with urging the authoritarian leader to take back deported migrants who have committed crimes in the United States.