London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

White House backtracks on Biden’s ‘minor incursion’ remark

White House backtracks on Biden’s ‘minor incursion’ remark

Moscow faces US-led retaliation over any “cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics” targeting Ukraine
Russia will face dire consequences not only in the case of an actual invasion of Ukraine, but also for actions that stop short of military action, the White House said on Wednesday.

The threat came in a statement released less than an hour after President Joe Biden’s media conference, in which he seemed to suggest that a “minor incursion” by Russia into Ukraine would not necessitate a severe response from Washington and its allies.

“It's one thing if it’s a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do,” the US president told reporters. “But if they actually do what they’re capable of doing with the force amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia.”

The statement, from press secretary Jen Psaki, appears to disavow Biden's remark, which many of his critics called an invitation to Russia to attack Ukraine.

Biden “knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics,” Psaki said. “And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response.”

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that there were disagreements between West European nations over what would trigger the sanctions that they pledged to impose against Russia should it attack Ukraine. Some reportedly insisted that only a full-scale invasion would merit a tough response.

Russia denies having any intention to attack Ukraine. According to Moscow, military action there is only possible if Kiev and its Western backers provoke it somehow, including by renewing violence against rebels in the east of the country.

The West started hyping up the claim that Russian troop movement inside the country signaled an invasion of Ukraine several months ago. Washington accused Russia of amassing over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. Moscow says all its maneuvers are regular training exercises, which it has every right to conduct inside its own territory.
Comments

Ken 3 year ago
Boy those that voted Democrat must be embarrassed now. A joke of a president, empty food shelves, crazy gas prices. Yes stealing elections have consequences

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×