White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was forced to issue a statement cleaning up Democrat President Joe Biden’s disastrous remarks about a potential Russian invasion into 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.
Biden’s comments were widely interpreted as giving a green light to Putin.
Source close to Zelensky admin on Biden’s Russia/Ukraine remarks: “The fallout [in Kyiv] will be nuclear.”
— Alex Ward (@alexbward) January 19, 2022
CNN: Kyiv officials “shocked” and “stunned” by Biden’s statement on a potential Russian invasion. Great work, Mr. President.
— Abe Greenwald (@AbeGreenwald) January 19, 2022
CNN chyron: "Ukrainian official 'shocked' Biden would give 'green light' to Putin"
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) January 19, 2022
Did Biden just invite Putin into eastern Ukraine? Minimizing a “minor incursion”?
— Terry Moran 🇺🇸 (@TerryMoran) January 19, 2022
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.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) January 19, 2022
Biden just told Putin a “minor incursion” into Ukraine is basically ok.
What kind of answer was that? No incursion is ok.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) January 19, 2022
Did Biden just give a green light to Putin for a "minor incursion?"
— Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) January 19, 2022
CNN: Kyiv officials say Biden gave “green light” to Putin today.
— Abe Greenwald (@AbeGreenwald) January 19, 2022
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.