Minor raid or invasion? Joe Biden's comment on Ukraine that generated doubts and strong criticism

During a press conference, the US president spoke of Russia's different options against its neighboring territory and aroused an unexpected reaction from Kiev and fear among its allies

WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden faced a wave of criticism yesterday - including a highly unusual reaction from Ukraine's president - after he appeared to downplay a hypothetical "minor incursion" by Russia into his neighbor's territory.

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“I think what they are going to see is that Russia will be responsible if it invades. And it depends on what he does, ” Biden said at a news conference on Wednesday. "It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and then we end up arguing about what to do and what not to do and so on."

Despite the doubts raised by those words, the Biden administration has always vowed to impose far-reaching sanctions, including steps to isolate Russia from the global financial system, if President Vladimir Putin orders a move into Ukraine.

The Democratic administration quickly sought to remedy the effect of those words, assuring allies and enemies alike that the United States would view any Russian troop crossing into Ukraine as unacceptable aggression. Administration officials said Biden's comments amounted to clumsy language that did not represent his position, which they said is abundantly clear in his oft-stated commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty.