President Joe Biden will not cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war if Russia invades and conquers Ukraine.
In a Saturday telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Biden discussed Russia’s escalating military buildup along Ukraine’s border.
“President Biden was clear that, if Russia undertakes a further invasion of Ukraine, the United States together with our Allies and partners will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia,” a White House spokesman said in a statement. “President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing.”
“President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our Allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios.”
While that sounds like a suggestion that the United States might become militarily involved with Russian troops attempting to occupy Ukraine, the Associated Press reports American troops will not enter Ukraine.
“The American troops are to train with host-nation forces but not enter Ukraine for any purpose,” the report noted. It spoke of U.S. troops being positioned by the thousands in neighboring NATO countries of Poland, Lithuania and Romania. All told, there are approximately 80,000 American military members in the European theater of operations.
Pentagon officials also announced the Florida National Guard members who since November have been advising Ukraine’s military will be “temporarily repositioned” elsewhere in Euorope.
Biden hampered diplomatic efforts with an off-the-cuff comment.
“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 gaff-prone president said. “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.”
With approximately 200,000 Russian troops encircling Ukraine from Belarus, Russia, Crimea and the Baltic Sea it is unlikely any incursion would be “minor”.
The big question is what response the United States will make since the president has already ruled out sending in the U.S. military.
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