Joe Biden was the one to blame when the news stations criticized the president of the United States. On Wednesday evening, all three evening news broadcasts were flabbergasted over Biden’s comments during his press conference where he seemed to suggest it would be ok if there was “a minor incursion” by Russia into neighboring Ukraine.
On ABC’s World News Tonight, senior White House correspondent Mary Bruce opened the segment airing the jaw-dropping statement from Biden where he said he would be ok with a “minor” Russian incursion into Ukraine, in response, she remarked “that answer raising eyebrows” before airing an exchange between Reuters reporter Alexandra Alper and Biden:
ALPER: Are you saying that a minor incursion by Russia into Ukrainian territory would not lead to the sanctions that you have threatened or are you effectively giving Putin permission to make a small incursion into the country?
BIDEN: I think we will if there’s something that is–that where there’s Russian forces crossing the border, killing Ukrainian fighters, et cetera, I think that changes everything. It all depends on his actions.
Minutes later, anchor David Muir took over and immediately when to his senior foreign correspondent, Ian Pannell for his reaction to Biden’s comments, and it did not disappoint:
There were probably many gasps in Europe and Kyiv when President Putin said that Russia might cross the border. Also, Russia could invade.
In the meantime, CBS Evening News, anchor Norah O’Donnell brought on chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan to break down the international and diplomatic fallout from Biden’s gaffe.
Brennan was the first to come out of the gate warning “Russia’s going to pounce on that phrase during diplomatic talks which are set to begin Friday.”She warned: “this could be interpreted as minimizing the type of attack or putting limits on what the U.S. may do.”
NBC Nightly NewsBiden’s situation was worse when anchor Lester Holt brought on Richard Engel as chief foreign correspondent, to ask if “officials in this country and very likely in Russia tonight are wondering did President Biden just give Vladimir Putin a green light to launch an invasion into or around them?”
The networks display incredible candor. The networks must’ve known there was no way to hide these comments from their viewers, so they were forced to report on them. They deserve our appreciation.
To read the transcripts of the relevant portions of each segment click “expand”:
ABC World News Tonight
1/19/2022
6.36.10 pm
MARY BRUCE Reporters pressed him to explain his response.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDDEN: Russia’s responsibility will depend on its actions. If it is a small incursion then that’s fine. But if they do invade, we will have to debate what the right and wrong actions should be taken. Russia will suffer if the Russians do not act as they are capable with the mass force at their border.
BRUCE
[Cuts to video]
ALEXANDRA ALPER: Are you saying that a minor incursion by Russia into Ukrainian territory would not lead to the sanctions that you have threatened or are you effectively giving Putin permission to make a small incursion into the country?
BIDEN: I think we will if there’s something that is–that where there’s Russian forces crossing the border, killing Ukrainian fighters, et cetera, I think that changes everything. It all depends on his actions.
(…)
6:38.53 pm
DAVID MURIR: Also, President Biden made news about Russia with Vladimir Putin and thousands of troops encamped at the Ukraine border. We will now move on to Ian Pannell, our top foreign correspondent in Ukraine. You were right there with us, Ian. The President made headlines when he stated that he believed Vladimir Putin would act and will move in Ukraine. But then he backed off when it was continued by pressed about this issue. Global headlines tonight focused on whether Putin left any window, depending on what kind of incursion might be seen.
IAN Pannell: I believe there were many gasps here in Kyiv, and all across the European Capitols when the President stated that Russia may cross this border. This means that Russia would invade. While he did not say whether it would be major or minor, he acknowledged that there were significant differences among NATO European allies about how to react. It is clear that there are diplomatic challenges. There are clear diplomatic difficulties. The Kremlin repeatedly denies that they plan to cross the border. It puts everybody in an awkward position before these difficult negotiations, when it really matters. Blinken, the Secretary of State, is currently in town. He met with Ukrainian officials. He will be facing a tough moment when he travels to Europe. But, it is crucial that he meets with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Geneva this Friday. It will add pressure to try and reach an accommodation deal with the Russians. David?
CBS Evening News
1/19/2022
6.38.02 PM
NORAH O’DONNELL: Well let’s bring in our chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan. Margaret, then, spoke out about the consequences for Russia. He said that it was one thing to have a small incursion. That was what did that mean?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Norah, Russia’s going to pounce on that phrase during diplomatic talks which are set to begin Friday, because this could be interpreted as minimizing the type of attack or putting limits on what the U.S. may do. The President appeared to suggest that the U.S. might alter its response depending upon the extent and scope of Russian aggression. This could mean a cyberattack, seizing territory, invasion, etc.
NBC Nightly News
1/19/2022
7.07:49 pm
LESTER HOLT: Tonight’s news from President Biden was focused on Ukraine. He predicted a Russian invasion. Richard Engel will be there to provide the latest.
RICHARD ENGEL : Despite U.S. official warnings that Russia has sufficient forces in place to invade Ukraine now, President Biden appeared to indicate today that if Russia made a partial incursion the U.S. would be able live with it.
JOE BIDDEN, PRESIDENT: Russia’s actions will determine whether or not it is held responsible. If it is a small incursion then that’s fine. But if they do invade, we will have to debate what the right and wrong actions should be taken. Russia will suffer if the Russians do not act as they are capable with the mass force at their border.
ENGEL. President Biden warned of a major Russian invasion. A massive operation could have devastating economic implications.
BIDEN – If they invade, they will pay. Their banks won’t be able deal dollars and they aren’t going.
ENGEL
BIDEN: I think he’ll move in. He needs to do something.
ENGEL. Russia has only one place in this country that Russia could make a small invasion. It is not possible to do so from any part that may be ambiguous. It’s in the far east, where pro-Russian separatists already control enclaves. Officials in Russia, as well as in the United States tonight are asking themselves if President Biden gave Vladimir Putin permission to invade or surround them. Lester?
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