You Awake Now, Joe? WH Press Hammer Biden as Russia Invades Ukraine

Addressing the world some 15 hours after Russian began a full invasion of Ukraine, President Biden faced a White House press corps on Thursday afternoon that, after he ducked their questions on Monday, chose to do its job and call out the likelihood the latest round of economic sanctions would do all but nothing to deter Putin, the likely economic pain Americans will feel, and what has he done vis-à-vis Russia’s alliance with China.

After the Associated Press’s Chris Megerian led off by wondering whether he’s had any contact with Putin or his government, The Wall Street Journal’s Tarini Parti wanted to know why the U.S. hasn’t secured an axing of Russia from the international banking system (known as SWIFT).

Biden conceded it’s “not the position that the rest of Europe wishes to take,” but maintained Thursday’s sanctions “are of equal consequence, maybe more consequence.”

First, ask probing questions came next via ABC’s Cecilia Vega on what will actually “stop” Putin, “how and when”This crisis “end[s],”Whether the U.S. thinks Putin has threatened to strike the West with nuclear war on Wednesday night 

Biden claimed he had “no idea what he’s threatening” and then promptly undid his administration’s entire messaging on the war by stating “no one expected the sanctions to prevent anything from happening.” Instead, he argued, the sanctions will wear Russia down.

Doocy Time was the Fox’s first correspondent, following Vega. touched onThe economic impact on the U.S.

[M]Gas prices have risen and arkets are falling. Although you stress the differences between Wall Street and Main Street, it seems that everyone is in economic trouble. What economic pain will this make people feel?

Biden replied “markets will respond,” but it’s “highly unlikely” to have a long-lasting impact “as long as” the U.S. and its allies “stay resolved in imposing the sanctions.”

Doocy continued pressuring. asking whether Biden “underestimate[d] Putin” and if he’s “confident”These sanctions will “be as devastating as Russian missiles and bullets and tanks.”Biden replied in both instances affirmative.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins took a page from Doocy’s playbook in asking short but devastating questions about what he believes will actually end Putin’s tyranny and how can anyone expect Putin to “change his mindset” (click “expand”):

COLLINS: What penalty could stop President Putin if sanctions are not effective? 

BIDEN: I didn’t say sanctions couldn’t stop him. 

COLLINS: For several weeks, you’ve been discussing the threat from these sanctions.

BIDDEN: It is true. However, the threat and the imposition of sanctions as well as the actual effect of those sanctions are very different. They’re two different things and we’re now going to — he’s going to begin to see the effect of the sanctions. 

COLLINS – And what’s the result? How will that change his mindset here given that he’s attacking —

BIDEN: Cause it will —

COLLINS: — Ukraine as we speak.

BIDEN: — so weaken his country that he’ll have to make a very, very difficult choice of whether to continue to move toward being a second-rate power or, in fact, respond. 

COLLINS Recently, you stated that President Putin could be sanctioned personally. Is that a step that you’re prepared to take and, if not — 

BIDEN – It isn’t a bluff. It is on the table.

COLLINS: — sanctioning President Putin? 

NBC’s Peter Alexander came next and didn’t mince words: 

[Y]ou detailed some severe and swift new sanctions today and said that the impact it will have over time, but given the full scale invasion, given that you’re not pursuing disconnecting Russia from what’s called SWIFT — the international banking system — or other sanctions at your disposal, respectfully, sir, what more are you waiting for?

Biden didn’t bite, insisting he’s leveled “profound sanctions” and unlike “anything that’s ever been done” with “two-thirds of the world joining us.”

In one of the more interesting moments, Biden declined to comment after Reuters’s Steve Holland brought up China:

HOLLAND – Are you asking China to aid Russia’s isolation? Is it your intention to urge China to aid in the isolation of Russia? 

BIDEN : That’s not something I can comment on at this time.

Biden left the podium after many attempts by White House staffers to get him off it. The Washington Post’s Tyler Pager and Press Trust of India’s Lalit Jha (click “expand”):

PAGER 

BIDEN: We will participate if he moves into NATO countries. We will. He will be encouraged if we do not stop immediately. That is the only thing I am certain of. These significant sanctions will not be applied against him if we don’t act now. Look, you know, every — well, anyway. 

(….)

JHA: Sir India is an important defense partner for the United States. Is India with — fully with you on the issue on Ukraine and Russia?

BIDEN – Does the Defense Department of the United States exist?

JHA: India is a major defence partner. Is India fully in sync with the United States on — on Russia? 

BIDEN: We’re going to be — we’re in consultation with — with India today. That is something we haven’t solved.

You can view the pertinent transcript starting February 24, by clicking here