The Biden administration has been accused of mixed messaging on the economy, the climate crisis, foreign policy, and the pandemic. On Sunday, a reporter called out the Vice President for “contradictory messaging…[regarding] the Biden administration’s response to looming war in Eastern Europe,” according to The Blaze.
According to a Bloomberg report, on Saturday, Kamala Harris spoke to a reporter while on assignment in Germany. In her remarks, the Vice President asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has made his decision” to invade Ukraine.
However, on Sunday, Harris claimed the Biden administration is working to deter a Russian incursion by preparing “crippling economic sanctions” that would “devastate the Russian economy.”
The Blaze reports that according to Harris, the Biden administration’s threats of sanctions will “deter Putin from invading Ukraine and triggering the biggest European war since World War II.”
On Sunday, a reporter pressed Harris for clarification:
“So, which is it, Madam Vice President? Has Putin made his decision to go to war, or can the U.S. deter him?”
The reporter added: “If you believe Putin has made up his mind, what leverage do you really have? Why not put those sanctions in place now?”
Harris, whom Liberty Nation News once referred to as the “mistress of doublespeak,” did not address her mixed messaging or directly answer the question. She responded:
“The purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrence. But let’s also recognize the unique nature of the sanctions that we have outlined. These are some of the greatest sanctions, if not the strongest that we’ve ever issued, as I articulated yesterday. It is directed at institutions — in particular, financial institutions — and individuals, and it will exact absolute harm for the Russian economy and their government.”
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The reporter pressed further: “But if Putin has made up his mind, do you feel that this threat that has been looming is really going to deter him?”
Harris doubled down, “Absolutely,” then followed with what The Blaze referred to as “word salad:”
“We strongly believe — and remember also that the sanctions are a product not only of our perspective as the United States but a shared perspective among our allies. And the allied relationship is such that we have agreed that the deterrence effect of these sanctions is still a meaningful one, especially because — remember, also — we still sincerely hope that there is a diplomatic path out of this moment,” Harris continued. “And within the context then of the fact that that window is still opening — although it is absolutely narrowing — but within the context of a diplomatic path still being open, the deterrence effect, we believe, has merit.”
Politico highlighted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s frustration at America’s mixed messaging. Zelensky reportedly said, “If the U.S. truly believes a Russian invasion of his country is imminent, then the U.S. should immediately enact the economic sanctions.”
The Blaze noted that the White House has not responded to their questions regarding why sanctions were not in place.
On Sunday, President Biden invited President Putin to discuss the Ukrainian situation. Putin rejected that offer.
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