ABC/NBC Tout Biden’s Big Talk on Sanctions While CBS Pumps the Brakes

The tensions between Russia, Ukraine and Russia are increasing on Tuesday. Liberal evening news networks continue to report the Biden administration’s harsh talk and threats to Russia in order to make him appear competent. Meanwhile, they’re giving little airtime to congressional Republicans’ criticisms that he’s not doing enough and going it too slowly.

ABC’s World News TonightIan Pannell was a senior foreign correspondent and reported that there were “American antitank and missile-busting weapons arriving in Kyiv, as the Biden administration increases military support for Ukraine during its conflict with Russia.” These were meant to be a “signal of support for the Ukrainian people, as well as a message deterrence to Russia,” he said. 

World News TonightThe soundbite was then taken from President Biden’s comments about when he would make the final decision regarding ground force deployment. 

That is going to depend on what happens, not what Putin does. It is possible that I will move some of these troops soon, but it takes time.

Pannell reported that “more than 100,000 Russian troops” are now stationed at Ukraine’s border with trainsloads full of equipment and troops moving to Belarus’ northern frontier. Biden stated that Russia could invade Ukraine completely, making it the most dangerous invasion in history. It could change the entire world. 

Pannell reports that Biden said “there would be immense consequences” (including possible sanctions against Putin) if Russia pursues its apparent plan to invade Ukraine. 

There are more NBC Nightly NewsIt was almost the same as before, with NBC echoing Biden’s threats towards Russia and denying any airtime to anyone criticizing the administration’s handling of this crisis. 

Richard Engel, chief correspondent for foreign affairs at NBC, reported this shocking development.   

Both NATO’s small and large allies are making moves to the East. Spain deploys fighter jets and warships in the Balkans. Denmark has sent jets into Lithuania. France also vows to protect Romania. The potential front is all of eastern Europe.

CBS is still available Evening News did give the Biden administration’s Republican critics airtime by featuring comments from Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton who said “even when they’re taking the right steps now those right steps tend to be half-measures and they’re certainly much too late.” 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell thinks that the administration is “moving in the right direction,” when it comes down to handling the crisis in Ukraine. 

CarFax, ABC, and T-Mobile, NBC made it possible for this latest example of liberal networks supporting the Biden Administration while ignoring GOP criticism. You can contact them via the linked information to let them know what bias news they are funding. 

To read the transcripts of each segment click “expand”:

ABC World News Tonight 

1/25/2022

6.38.05 PM

DAVID MUIR – We will now turn our attention to Russia and Ukraine, and to the U.S. Military Equipment that has arrived there. Pictures coming in tonight. This evening President Biden stated that the 8,500 U.S. troops were in Afghanistan to support NATO allies. According to President Biden, troops have been on high alert in order to send support forces to NATO allies. They may now be moving, he said today. The new delivery of anti-tank missiles from the USA has arrived in Ukraine. Tonight’s video from Russia shows their soldiers in training exercises. What President Biden now says tonight is that he personally sanctions Vladimir Putin. This is Ian Pannell, ABC’s top foreign correspondent on the ground in Ukraine.

IAN Pannell: American anti-tank, and missile-busting American weapons arrive in Kyiv tonight. This comes as the Biden administration intensifies military support to Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia. This is just the latest shipment of U.S.-supplied ammunition and weapons to the Ukrainian government. This is a sign of support for the Ukrainian people, as well as a deterrent message to the Kremlin. 8,500 U.S. 8.500 United States

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Well, it depends. It all depends on what happens and what Putin does. It is possible that I will move some of these troops soon, but it takes time.

PANNELL – More than 100,000 Russian troops now gather at Ukraine’s borders, with trainloads full of equipment and troops moving to Belarus from the north frontier. Biden is now stating that he would sanction Putin even if he attacked.

BIDEN – If he was to enter with all these troops, this would be the most significant invasion since World War II. That would be a major change in the world.

PANNELL – The Kremlin consistently denies any plans to evade the U.S., and accuses them of Hysteria. America does not take chances. The 79-ton military cargo today includes over 270 anti-tank javelin missiles and more than 800 rocket-launching shoulder-fired bomber-busting missiles. Last month, we saw the Ukrainian military train these anti-tank weaponry. This is NATO and American interference, according to the Kremlin. The Ukrainian government’s been playing down the sense of crisis here, but speaking exclusively to ABC News, the acting American ambassador in Ukraine, Kristina Kvien warning Russia could do anything at any moment.

KRISTINA KVIEN is the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Ambassador to Ukraine): It’s like a gun to the head of Ukraine, and we don’t think that Ukraine should have to live with a loaded gun to its head. 

MUIR: And Ian Pannell back with us from Ukraine’s capitol again tonight. Incredible reporting, you and your colleagues. Ian, you mentioned that President Biden would be open to personal sanctions for Vladimir Putin in case Russia invades.

PANNELL: Yeah, that’s right, David. PANNELL: That’s right, David. President Biden said that if Putin invaded Ukraine there would be huge consequences. This could include sanctions against Putin. Remember, however, that U.S. The Kremlin warned that the same idea was proposed by Senators last week. It would have a devastating effect on relations between Russia and America. David?

CBS Evening News

1/25/2022

6.33.07 pm 

O’KEEFE: A Russian military show of force today on the country’s western border with Ukraine, and no signs that Vladimir Putin plans to back down. This is why Vice President Biden said today while shopping in Washington that some of nearly 9,000 U.S. soldiers may be deployed to eastern Europe soon. His troops are on alert.

JOE BIDDEN, PRESIDENT: It’s possible that I will move some troops soon, but it is not provocation.

O’KEEFE: Several thousand U.S. Troops already in Europe also could be repositioned, but the growing allied response force is still no match for Putin’s roughly 100,000 troops on the ground. Nearly all of Ukraine is now surrounded. The White House declares an imminent invasion, and President Biden has summoned top national security officials to discuss the crisis. Biden stated that economic sanctions would be used against Putin if the Russian leader invades.

BIDEN – If he was to enter with all these troops, this would be the most significant invasion since World War II. That would be a major change in the world.

O’KEEFE: The Russians reiterated today they have no plans to attack. However, the Russians are threatening to cut fuel supplies through Ukraine. The US administration has been working with global oil and gas companies around the world in order to secure adequate supply. Some Republicans feel that Biden’s actions against Putin are still too slow.

SENATOR TOM COTTON: Sometimes, even when people are taking correct steps right now, they end up being half measures and often too late.

O’KEEFE: But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a frequent critic of the President has a different view. 

SENATOR MICHELLE MITCH-MCCONNELL

NORAH O’DONNELL: Ed joins us now from the White House. You’re probably hearing a lot about U.S. Troop deployments. 

O’KEEFE: Well, CBS News has learned tonight the Pentagon is preparing to announce elements of the Army’s 82nd Airborn Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, could be among the elements deployed to the region. 

NBC Nightly News 

1/25/2022

7.06:46 pm

LESTER HOLLT: Today, America and NATO allies sent a strong message to Russia with words and weapons. They want them to keep out of Ukraine. Biden warns of huge consequences for Russia if it invades. Richard Engel will be in Ukraine tonight.

RICHARD ENGEL : NATO and Russia both are mobilizing to a potential conflict, despite diplomatic failures. To defend Ukraine against an invasion by Russia, more American weapons arrived tonight as part of the $200 million package. They are 90 tons in weight. Biden says he is close to making a decision about whether or not to mobilize more U.S. troops. Many troops are on alert in eastern Europe for the moment, although they’re not yet inside Ukraine.

JOE BIDDEN, PRESIDENT: The only thing that would make it happen is the outcome of what Putin does and doesn’t do. Because it is time-consuming, I could move some of these troops soon.

ENGEL

BIDEN – If he was to enter with all these troops, this would be the most significant invasion since World War II. That would be a major change in the world.

ENGEL. Allies of NATO, large and small, are moving to the east. Spain deploys fighter jets and warships in the Black Sea to assist with its mission. Denmark has sent jets into Lithuania. France also vows to protect Romania. It is possible to invade all of eastern Europe. Russia has not yet stated that it intends to invade. However, the Russian military is proving its mettle by launching new drills. The President of Ukraine is asking people to keep calm, and that he seeks a diplomatic solution. However, volunteers in the east are signing up to help if they have to fight. Lester?