President Joe Biden reiterated in a Tuesday afternoon speech that a Russian invasion of Ukraine remains “distinctly possible” despite claims from Russia’s Defense Ministry it was withdrawing some troops along the border.
“Let there be no doubt,” he said from the White House. “If Russia commits this breach by invading Ukraine, responsible nations around the world will not hesitate to respond. If we do not stand for freedom where it is at risk today, we will surely pay a steeper price tomorrow. Thank you, I’ll keep you informed.”
RUSSIA SAYS SOME TROOPS LEAVING UKRAINE BORDER, PENTAGON SKEPTICAL AMID INVASION FEARS
The president continued his pattern of laying out two paths going forward: one of diplomacy and the other of war. The United States and Russia fought together 77 years ago in World War II, which Biden dubbed a “war of necessity.” In contrast, he said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would amount to a “war of choice.”
“To the citizens of Russia, you are not our enemy, and I do not believe you want a bloody, destructive war against Ukraine,” Biden said. “[Ukraine is] a country and a people with whom you share such deep ties of family history and culture.”
Biden did not take questions following the address.
While some troops are being moved back to their permanent bases, additional military training operations will move forward, according to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov. The Pentagon has said Russia’s military presence along the border is larger than 100,000 troops, and it was unclear how many are returning to their permanent bases. Biden placed the number at more than 150,000 during his address.
Following weeks of warnings from international leaders about such an incursion, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Tuesday that Russia is “ready to follow the negotiation track.”
“We are aware of reports of Russian claims that they are withdrawing some forces away from the border with Ukraine. Our analysts are reviewing, but we have nothing further at this time,” a defense official told the Washington Examiner.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that NATO had not seen evidence of Russia withdrawing troops, but he provided couched optimism on Russia’s willingness to move down a path of diplomacy.
Biden said a withdrawal “would be good, but we have not verified that yet” and that Russian troops “remain very much in a threatening position.”
Regarding other points of contention, Biden said no U.S. troops would enter Ukraine, but equipment, troops, training, advice, and intelligence will be provided.
He also pledged to tap all resources available to keep gas prices down in the event of further tensions with Russia, a major gas provider, and reiterated the unified commitment of NATO nations against Putin’s efforts.
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“Make no mistake, the U.S. will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power,” Biden said. “An attack against one NATO country is an attack against all of us, and the U.S. commitment to Article 5 is sacrosanct.”
