The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens not only a human rights disaster in Europe but also economic turmoil for American consumers. It also presents a big headache for US president Joe Biden.

Russia invasion of Ukraine a big disaster.

We know Russia to be one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel producers, generating about 12 percent of the global economy’s oil and 17 % of its natural gas, much of which is transported to Europe via pipelines that run through Ukraine.

All the winds farms and the solar panels that have been built in the United States still run on oil and gas. President Vladimir Putin’s decision to approve the independence of breakaway territories in Ukraine pushed the price of crude oil to jump to $100 (£74) per barrel.

President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in the east of the country, as gunfire and explosions were heard in the outskirts of the cities of Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Mariupol, as well as the capital Kiev.

In response to the development, President Joe Biden and Boris Johnson joined other global powers to castigate Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine, stating Russia would be held accountable.

The Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelensky stated the government is introducing martial law on all territories of the state and urged citizens to stay at home as much as possible.

However, despite the reassurances from the Ukrainian president, long queues could be seen snaking along a motorway in Kiev in an attempt to flee following the invasion.