President Joe Biden made quite the mess during a rare press conference on Wednesday, with one comment so disastrous that it forced the White House into a panic as it risked causing an international crisis.
Biden’s spoke about the brewing Russian – Ukrainian conflict and many were concerned that the president essentially gave Putin a “geen light” to go after Ukraine during his Wednesday presser.
The Democrat leader said that while he believes an invasion is imminent, he clarified, a lesser attack by the Russians would elicit a softer response from the U.S. than that of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do,” Biden told reporters regarding what Russia might do. “But if they actually do what they’re capable of doing with the forces amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine.”
When asked later to clarify what he meant by “minor incursion,” Biden said he drew the line at “Russian forces crossing the border, killing Ukrainian fighters,” CNN reported.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was forced to issue a statement to clean up the mess created by Biden’s questionable remarks.
Psaki released the following statement after Biden’s remarks, “President Biden has been clear with the Russian President: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that’s a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our Allies. President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response.”
A number of critics concerned with the implications of Biden’s comments spoke out against them.
“Biden is attacking the legitimacy of American elections while signaling Putin to try a “minor incursion” in Ukraine. None of this is normal. None of this is OK,” National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin responded.
“Biden just appeared to okay a “minor” Russian incursion of Ukraine. So, invasion of an independent neighbor nation is bad. An incursion is OK with this president,” conservative commentator Andrew Malcolm agreed.
“Biden’s comments suggesting that a “minor incursion” of Ukraine might not draw as vigorous a response as a full-scale invasion will trigger a lot of angst in the region, particularly in Kyiv,” New York Times Chief White House correspondent Peter Baker wrote at the time.
“Why was there no pushback to Biden saying, “it’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion” re Russia going into Ukraine?” former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany weighed in.
“What kind of answer was that? No incursion is ok,” Fox News contributor Ari Fleischer echoed.
Author: Raymond Freegon
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