U.S. President Joseph Biden's remarks about how the U.S. side will respond to the hypothetical scenario of a so-called Russian "invasion" of Ukraine have upset the Ukrainian government. On the 20th, the US side had to clarify the US position on Russia, stressing that once the Russian troops "crossed the line", it would constitute an "invasion" and would certainly pay a "high price".
"If it's a minor intrusion, then we have to argue about what to do and what not to do." —U.S. President Joseph Biden
"We would like to remind those big countries that there is no so-called minor invasion, there is no so-called small country, just as there are no so-called minor casualties, no slight sorrow for those who have lost their loved ones. I say these things in my capacity as president of a great power. —President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelenskiy
The US side will clarify again
"I have made my attitude absolutely clear to President Putin (of Russia) and he will not misunderstand. If any assembled Russian forces cross the Ukrainian border, it is an invasion. Such behavior would provoke a harsh coordinated economic response, something that I have carefully discussed with my U.S. allies and made very clear to President Putin. Biden said at a White House meeting on the 20th to discuss infrastructure development plans.
The day before, Biden spoke at a White House news conference about the situation in Ukraine, predicting that Russia might "act" on the Russian-Ukrainian border, but he was vague about how the United States and its European allies within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were prepared to deal with it, saying that the response between the United States and Europe "depends on what the other side has done." "If it's a minor intrusion, then we have to argue about what to do and what not to do." Asked to explain what a "minor invasion" was, Biden said he thought the "dividing line" would be "Russian troops crossing the (Russian-Ukrainian) border and killing Ukrainian soldiers."
This remark immediately caused dissatisfaction on the Ukrainian side. On the same day, Ukrainian officials conveyed their views to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who was visiting Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy further publicly "reminded" the US side on social media on the 20th. CNN described Zelenskiy's remarks as "implicit but strongly worded." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Demitro Culeba subsequently affirmed at a video conference that a country "cannot be subjected to a semi-invasion ... Aggression is there, and nothing is nothing."
The United States "easier said than done"?
US Secretary of State Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 21st to continue dialogue on security issues such as the Ukraine issue and NATO's eastward expansion. Before leaving for Geneva, Blinken met with senior German, French, and British diplomats in Berlin, Germany, to discuss countermeasures to the Russian-Ukrainian problem. Blinken echoed Biden's remarks, stressing that "once the Russian military marches into Ukraine and makes new violations, it will face a prompt, severe, and united response from the United States and its allies and partners." However, he said, the United States and Russia are not expected to be able to resolve the issue during the Geneva talks.
The Associated Press analyzed that the United States and NATO are "facing a difficult task" regarding the possibility of a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Biden has said that the U.S. side does not intend to send troops to help Ukraine defend against a Russian "invasion," but he may seek "relatively less intense but still risky military action," such as "supporting resistance to Ukraine after the invasion." The report believes that in the event of a war between Russia and Ukraine, the reason why the United States will not participate directly is simple: "The United States has no treaty obligations to Ukraine, and going to war with Russia is a big gamble." It's just that doing too little is also risky. ”
News links
Hands out too long! The United States sanctioned 4 Ukrainian citizens of "Russia"
The US government announced sanctions against 4 Ukrainian citizens on the 20th, pointing out that they were trying to "undermine ukraine's stability" according to "Russia's instructions". According to reports, two of the targets of sanctions are current members of the Ukrainian parliament. The bank accounts and financial assets of the above four people in the United States will be frozen, and U.S. companies and individuals will not have any business dealings with them.
S-400 Departure! Russian troops went to Belarus to participate in joint military exercises
The Russian Ministry of Defense said on the 21st that the Russian side has sent two divisions operating the S-400 air defense missile system to Belarus to test the readiness of the "Russian-Belarusian unified regional air defense system" and participate in joint military exercises. The Russian Defense Ministry said the exercises were aimed at safeguarding Russia's national interests in global waters and countering threats against the Russian Federation.
International Watch
What is the intention of the United States to frequently play the "Ukrainian card"?
The analysis pointed out that the Biden administration frequently played up the threat of Russian "invasion", which has a threefold calculation behind it: further squeezing Russia's geopolitical space, controlling European countries on the grounds of security threats, and creating momentum for this year's midterm elections. However, judging from the current situation, I am afraid that it will be difficult to achieve my wishes.
■ Curbing Russia's difficulties
Ukraine, because of its geographical location, inevitably becomes the grip of the United States to contain Russia. But for Russia, if Ukraine is fully integrated into the Western camp, this will directly threaten Russia's geopolitical security, which Russia cannot accept under any circumstances. The director of the Russian Council on International Affairs pointed out that although Biden has shown a tough attitude toward Russia on the situation in Ukraine, as far as the current situation is concerned, this will not have a substantial impact on Russia.
■ It is difficult to control Europe
The United States constantly exaggerates the threat of War against Russia in the Ukraine issue, and an important purpose is to draw European countries to form a unified position against Russia. However, some analysts in Europe pointed out that once the conflict between Russia and Ukraine breaks out, the direct victims will not be the United States, but european countries, so most European countries do not want to be completely controlled by the United States on the Issue of Ukraine.
■ Difficult to select
The Biden administration has been in power for a year, but it has been slow to improve its domestic affairs, so it has recently tried to exert efforts on the diplomatic side to lay the foundation for the midterm elections held this year. However, some analysts pointed out that the Biden administration's plan may not be able to achieve its wishes. On the one hand, in the past midterm elections, the American people have paid more attention to economic and other policies that can directly affect their lives; on the other hand, the Biden administration's diplomatic "report card" has not been brilliant. This surprise attack on Ukraine is difficult to help the election.
(Original title: Biden "gaffes" Ukraine is dissatisfied with the US side has to clarify its position on Russia)
Source: Beijing Evening News
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