The President of the United States made ambiguous remarks during a press conference. The White House had to rectify.
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The war of words continues. During a press conference marking his first year in office, Wednesday, January 19, US President Joe Biden seemed to give credence to the idea of a probable next “incursion” Russian in Ukraine. “I think he still doesn’t want a full-scale war”, he launched about his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. However, “he will test the West”. “I think he will come back” in Ukraine one way or another, “he’s going to have to do something”.
“If it’s a minor incursion”, the members of NATO are likely to be divided on the extent of the response, added the tenant of the White House. But if the Russians “do what they can with the forces they have massed on the border, it will be a disaster for Russia”. The situation could “get out of control”, he was alarmed.
This ambiguous formulation on an incursion “minor”, drew sharp criticism from the opposition, which criticized the Democratic president for resigning himself to a Russian attack. This immediately earned him to incur the wrath of Republicans who accuse him of having given Vladimir Putin a “green light” to invade its neighbour.
The White House therefore hastened to clarify Joe Biden’s remarks. If Russian military forces cross the border of Ukraine, this will constitute a new invasion which will attract “a rapid, severe and united response from the United States and our allies”, said his spokeswoman Jen Psaki.