Boris Johnson joined a scramble by the West last night to correct a speech blunder by Joe Biden which was interpreted as a ‘green light’ for Russia to invade Ukraine.
The US President had said Vladimir Putin would probably ‘move in’ but that a ‘minor incursion’ could cause in-fighting inside Nato over how to respond.
His comments sparked panic in Kiev (Ukraine) and other Nato countries.
Mr Johnson responded yesterday: ‘Be in no doubt that if Russia were to make any kind of incursion into Ukraine, on any scale whatever, I think that would be a disaster not just for Ukraine but for Russia. It would be a disaster for the world.’
And in a speech on Friday, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will accuse Russia of failing to ‘learn the lessons of history’ and predict an invasion of Ukraine ‘will only lead to a terrible quagmire and loss of life’.
Speaking on a diplomatic visit to Australia, she will say: ‘We need everyone to step up.
“Together, with our allies, we will continue supporting Ukraine and urge Russia not to escalate and to engage in meaningful conversations.
‘What happens in Eastern Europe matters for the world.’
Responding to Mr Biden’s remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: ‘We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations.
‘Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones.’
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss (pictured) will accuse Russia of failing to ‘learn the lessons of history’ and predict an invasion of Ukraine ‘will only lead to a terrible quagmire and loss of life’
Satellite images show equipment being deployed in Klimovo Railyard (Klimovo, Russia) on Wednesday
Within rising tensions surrounding an invasion of Ukraine, troops from battle groups deployed to the Pogonovo training site in Voronezh (Russia)
A salute was fired by servicemen during the Thursday ceremony honoring fallen Ukrainian defenders
Ukrainian soldiers stand in front of their Hamvee at the line for secession from pro–Russian rebels. This was Mariupol, Donetsk, Thursday
An unidentified soldier from Ukraine stands at the trench where the lines of seperation are drawn against pro-Russian rebels
Russia’s Vladimir Putin was warned by President Joe Biden that new sanctions could be imposed against Russia if the United States takes more military action against Ukraine.
An Ukrainian soldier walks on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels in Mariupol, Ukraine, on Thursday
Moscow has been building up tens to thousands of tanks, artillery, and troops along its eastern flank for the past weeks. There have been fears that Russia will invade, but the Kremlin maintains that it is only a defence force. (pictured: Russian forces are currently positioned in border areas).
This map shows the possible route six of the landing ships might take from Russia’s Baltic Sea base Kronstadt, to Ukraine in preparation for a “full-scale invasion”. On Monday, the vessels were photographed at the Great Belt Bridge, Denmark. If heading towards Ukraine, they are most likely to have transited Channel.
Russia is believed to be preparing an attack on Ukraine’s borders, having amassed thousands of soldiers. Although the Kremlin claims it doesn’t plan an attack, it says that it may take unspecified military actions if it does not meet its security requirements.
Putin demands a veto over new Nato member states and that Western troops be withdrawn from the former Soviet republics.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, the gaffe-prone US President suggested Mr Putin would get off lightly if troops went into Ukraine’s eastern regions but stopped there.
He said: ‘Russia will be held accountable if it invades – and it depends on what it does.
‘It’s one thing if it is a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and what not to do… It’s very important that we keep everyone in Nato on the same page.’
He added: ‘My guess is [Mr Putin] will move in, he has to do something.’ But afterwards, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said any Russian military invasion would be met by a ‘swift, severe and united response’ by Nato.
Six Russian landing vessels (pictured, Minsk on the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark) have passed Britain, sparking suspicions that they may be headed for an imminent ‘full-scale Invasion’ of Ukraine.
This region is on the brink of collapse since last year’s end when Moscow sent 100,000 troops and also tanks and missiles close to the Ukrainian border.
On January 19, satellite images show a Battlegroup at Voronezh located around 200m from Ukraine’s borders. Moscow is ramping up military construction along the border in preparation of a nine-month war.
One Ukraine official said Mr Biden’s comment ‘stunned’ Kiev, adding: ‘This gives Putin the green light to invade at his pleasure.’
Other Western security sources said it was a ‘gift to Putin’. Last night, Biden attempted to clarify US policy.
‘If any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion,’ he said, adding it will be met by a ‘severe and coordinated’ economic response that has been discussed in detail with allies and laid out to Mr Putin.
This mumbling, stumbling President presents a danger to global peace.
Dominic Green from Boston Massachussetts, for The Daily Mail
This message was evident. At his first press conference since November — an event that was meant to be a reset for a presidency that has already had more resets than a dud satellite box — Joe Biden gave Vladimir Putin the green light to attack Ukraine.
That’s what I heard when I watched his mumbling, stumbling performance on Wednesday afternoon. It’s what millions of Americans heard — and it’s what Vladimir Putin was waiting to hear.
Biden said that Russia ‘will be held accountable if it invades’ Ukraine, but then added that ‘it depends on what it does’.
‘It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion, and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, et cetera,’ Biden went on. ‘But if they actually do what they’re capable of doing with the force amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia.’
Biden said that Russia ‘will be held accountable if it invades’ Ukraine, but then added that ‘it depends on what it does’
In other words, Putin is welcome to sink his teeth into a European state and an American ally — just so long as he doesn’t take too big a bite.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was understandably appalled. ‘We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations,’ he tweeted. ‘Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones. I say this as the president of a great power.’
The country’s foreign minister was less subtle — he stated baldly that Biden’s comments could invite a Russian attack.
The leader of the free world was once again thinking openly. And proving again that he can’t be trusted.
The White House launched a desperate effort to tidy up the mess, with Biden clarifying some of his remarks. ‘I’ve been absolutely clear with President Putin. He has no misunderstanding,’ he said. ‘If any — any — assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion.’
However, the damage was done.
Putin is welcome to sink his teeth into a European state and an American ally — just so long as he doesn’t take too big a bite
Security in Europe is at a crossroads, and the fate of NATO’s future hangs in the balance. The credibility of the United States is on the line, and America’s allies are looking for a cool head and unconditional support for the basic principles of international law and order. However, the sheriff was not satisfied with his senior moments and divulged the details of the game plan. He also revealed that he poses a direct and immediate threat to global peace.
This was not an isolated incident. Whenever the President pokes his head above the parapet, Biden’s team are hanging on every ill-considered word, and issuing ‘clarifications’ of his addled thoughts in real time. It’s farcical, but it’s how this hopeless administration operates.
Biden pledged unscripted support to China’s fight against Taiwan twice last year. China doesn’t recognise Taiwan’s independence. For more than four decades, the U.S. has followed a policy of ‘strategic ambiguity’: it has armed Taiwan, but it has never stated what it would do if China attacked the country.
Biden’s ad libs threatened to upset the nuclear-tipped balance of power in the Pacific. Biden was warned by the Chinese foreign ministry to be careful with his words. The U.S., it said, should ‘be cautious with its words and actions’ and ‘not send any wrong signals so as not to damage China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait’.
The White House clarifiers back then said the President ‘misspoke’. When he said the U.S. would fight China because it had a ‘commitment’, he didn’t mean it.
It was clear that the harm had already been done. America was unable to keep its promises. This realization became apparent around the globe. Allies ran for cover, and the West’s enemies licked their chops.
Biden hasn’t just ‘lost a step’ as the Americans say. He’s not even in the game.
The President’s loose lips are causing the sinking of the state ship, while his popularity at home is waning.
While the White House may be in denial about the situation, the nation is confronted with the reality that a president in apparent mental decline is a sad fact.
In a mid-November poll, only 46 per cent agreed that Biden was ‘mentally fit’ — and 48 per cent thought he wasn’t up to the job. Just 34 per cent think he’s ‘energetic’, and a mere 37 per cent think he’s a ‘clear communicator’.
On Wednesday, the gaffemeister-in-chief struggled to field the softest of questions.
Asked if the voters might punish the Democrats in November’s midterms, Biden replied: ‘Oh I think that it could be . . . I mean, I hope in God that they’re, uh . . . That. . . Look. . . maybe I’m kidding myself . . . The clock goes on. . .’
As tensions escalate at the Ukrainian border, Europe’s security is in a delicate situation. The future of NATO will be in doubt.
Five seconds into a sentence, he stops talking. The ceiling is all he sees.
He grips his lectern and his folder of facts as if he’s trying to squeeze out some inspiration. He quickly gets tired.
The more tired he gets, the more he falls back on mock-spontaneous fillers — ‘C’mon, man!’ – while he tries to remember what he was saying. He becomes more and more angry.
Each person has a loved one who is in cognitive decline. And everyone knows Biden is rapidly falling. In the care homes of America, they call his trouble ‘sundowning’. The day is a blurring of energy and focus.
At sundown the old-timers have fallen asleep, or are close to it. But this is the President of the world’s greatest superpower.
Biden is the president with the lowest first-year poll number in recent memory. He makes Jimmy Carter look like Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Even the broadcaster CNN, which acclaimed Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections with Pravda-like enthusiasm, has turned on him. Van Jones, an Obama appointee-turned-talking head on the network, called Biden’s performance on Wednesday ‘foggy and meandering, like Reagan at the end’.
The difference is, Reagan was on his way out by that stage — and he had won the Cold War. Biden has just one year left of his presidency. He’s the figurehead of an arrogant and ignorant administration, and he’s just invited Putin to become the master of Europe.
Biden says he wants to run again in 2024, but even his deputy Kamala Harris refuses to give a straight answer when she’s asked if she would endorse him.
America was unable to keep its promises, and the rest of the world knew it. Allies ran for cover, and the West’s enemies licked their chops
She is not alone. It’s bad news for Biden that only 28 per cent of Americans want him to run again.
It’s a disaster for him that only 48 per cent of registered Democrats back a second Biden term.
‘Why do you suppose such large segments of the American electorate have come to harbour such profound concerns about your cognitive fitness?’ a reporter from the conservative site Newsmax asked Biden on Wednesday.
‘I have no idea,’ he croaked.
He also spoke the truth.
Putin is a smiling face in his Kremlin bunker, and who could blame him?
Dr Dominic Green is the editor of The Spectator’s world edition.