Biden predicts Russia will attack Ukraine but warns Putin of a ‘stiff price’

Joe Biden has said he thinks Russia will make a move on Ukraine, warning Moscow it would face a “stiff price” for an attack yet suggesting that a “minor incursion” might be treated differently by the US and its allies. The US president’s comments at a White House news conference on Wednesday January 19, injected uncertainty into how the West would respond should Russian President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine. The White House later clarified that any Russian military action would be met with a “swift, severe” response.

“My guess is he will move in,” Mr Biden said of his Russian counterpart at news conference. “He has to do something.” “Russia will be held accountable if it invades – and it depends on what it does. It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and what to not do, et cetera,”

the US president said.

At a press conference the US president shocked allies as he said Putin would invade Ukraine.

“My guess is he will move in. He has to do something,”

Biden said. He also caused alarm suggesting that the West’s response could be more muted for a “minor” incursion with some accusing him of giving Russia the green light to attack.

“We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations,”

Ukrainian President tweeted following Biden’s comments. Biden then went on TV to clarify his remarks saying that any Russian action would be met with “a swift, severe, and united response.” Biden’s words had already drawn concern at home and abroad, however. Biden is probably right though – Putin does have to do something. Putin wants to control eastern Ukraine – it is the final part of ancient Magog mentioned in Ezekiel 38.

The word of the Lord came to me:

  “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him 3 and say:

‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. (Ezekiel 38:1-3 NIV)

Andy Walton

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