The US president reportedly told top officials to “tone down” pro-Kiev rhetoric, but ultimately adopted their stance
According to NBC News, Joe Biden told top diplomats and defense officials to temper their rhetoric following their pledge to support Ukraine in the war with Russia. However, the president endorsed their strategy.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken apparently made statements that President Biden didn’t like during their joint visit to Poland in April, the report noted. The US wanted to aid Ukraine in a war with Russia, not just defend it.
Biden called both to voice concern about their unrealistic expectations regarding the US’ support for the country and the risk of dragging it into a conflict with Russia. Based on interviews with seven US officials as well other sources (who were not identified), the report includes a number of unnamed people.
“Biden was not happy when Blinken and Austin talked about winning in Ukraine,”According to the outlet, the source is quoted as having said. “He was not happy with the rhetoric.”
While they both claimed that their remarks “had been misconstrued,” the report said. According to witnesses, Biden did nothing after their explanations. Although there were concerns about Ukraine’s situation becoming a prolonged conflict, Biden adopted as his policy the strategic victory over Russia.
After Austin and Blinken surprised visited Kiev in April of this year, the Pentagon chief stated:
“The first step in winning is believing that you can win,”Both the U.S. & the Ukrainians “believe that we — they — can win, if they have the right equipment, the right support”… “And we’re going to do everything we can and continue to do everything we can.”
Biden made statements about Ukraine previously that were later refuted by his staff. He said during a speech in Poland that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been elected “cannot remain in power”After launching the Ukraine campaign. White House dismissed this comment as an emotion-driven outburst and not confirmation that US was trying to take down the Russian government.
According to NBC News officials in the US are becoming more concerned by the uncompromising stance taken by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He has declared a military win the only option and refused to make peace with Russia. The outlet said that Washingtonians think it might not be sustainable. Despite the fact that its European allies support talks, Biden’s administration refused to press Kiev for concessions.
Russia attacked the neighboring state in late February, following Ukraine’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow’s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. French- and German-brokered protocols were intended to provide special status for the Ukrainian states that breakaway areas.
Since then, the Kremlin demanded Ukraine declare itself neutral and vow to never join NATO’s military bloc. Kiev claims that the Russian invasion was unprovoked. It also denies any plans to take the republics with force.
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