President Biden scolded a journalist Friday for asking him to respond to Vladimir Putin’s statement that the US and Russia would effectively be at war if the American commander in chief lifts restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles inside Russia.
“I say you be quiet until I speak. Okay? That’s what I say. Good idea?” Biden, 81, snapped as he opened a meeting at the White House with visiting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The journalist persisted, “But what do you say to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s threat of war, sir? It’s a serious threat.”
“You’ve got to be quiet,” Biden replied. “I’m going to make a statement here, okay?”
The journalist seemed to be part of the traveling British press corps and may have been unfamiliar with the American custom of waiting until the president is done speaking before asking questions.
After Biden and Starmer’s brief introductory remarks, the reporter again lobbed his question.
“I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin,” Biden said.
The commander in chief on Monday confirmed that he was considering easing restrictions on Kyiv’s use of US-supplied weapons against Russia.
“We’re working that out right now,” Biden told reporters on the White House lawn.
Putin responded by saying, “This will mean that NATO countries — the US and European countries — are at war with Russia.”
“And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us,” he said.
The threat of nuclear war has loomed over the nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine as Washington largely bankrolls and arms the resistance to Putin’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been increasingly daring in counter-attacking Russia as the US election approaches on Nov. 5 — including launching a surprise invasion of Russian territory Aug. 6.
Ukraine still holds some territory in the Kursk region of Russia — giving a potential bargaining chip in peace talks.
Former President Donald Trump has vowed to hastily broker a peace deal to end the war if he wins the election — with Zelensky openly expressing his concern that would mean Ukraine ceding territory currently held by Russia in the country’s south and east.
