Biden warns of ‘disaster’ for Russia if it invades Ukraine

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has asserted that he expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to order an invasion of Ukraine, and warned that “a disaster” awaits Russia if that happened.

Biden said he did not believe that President Vladimir Putin wants a war, but said the Russian leader has created a situation that is proving extremely difficult to defuse and that could easily “get out of hand” in the region.

“My guess is he will move in. He has to do something,” Biden said during a press conference marking his first year in office. He said Putin could be planning “something significantly short of a significant invasion” to test the US and NATO that would be met with a lesser pushback from the allies.

“It is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine. Our allies and partners are ready to impose a severe cost on Russia and the Russian economy,” Biden said during his second solo news conference since he took office. 

‘Swift’ and ‘severe’

Republican lawmakers quickly blasted the US president, accusing him of tacitly okaying an attack by Russian troops. “Joe Biden’s impotence emboldened Vladimir Putin and now he just green-lighted Putin to invade Ukraine,” Senator Tom Cotton said.

Senator Marco Rubio called Biden’s comments ‘bizarre’. “So if Putin only takes over parts of Ukraine our response will be less severe than if he takes it all?” he said.

Later, White House press secretary Jen Psaki elaborated on Biden’s answers to questions about Ukraine and Russia. “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,” said Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

The Russians “have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics,” she noted, referring to Biden’s own explanation.

Biden “affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,” she added.

Heavy loss of life

Biden was speaking ahead of a meeting on Friday in Geneva between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva.

Blinken held meetings in Kyiv on Wednesday in preparations for the Geneva talks, and urged Moscow to choose the “peaceful path.”

With more than 100,000 troops and war-making machinery poised on Ukraine’s borders, Moscow has sent alarms through the West over its threat to Kyiv.