President Biden mentioned Tuesday that Ukraine’s marvel counter-invasion of Russia is “developing an actual catch 22 situation” for Russian President Vladimir Putin — and that the American govt is in “consistent touch” with Kyiv.
Biden, 81, introduced his first really extensive remarks on Ukraine’s shocking battlefield good points all the way through a group with newshounds below the wing of Air Drive One as he arrived in New Orleans to tout federal most cancers analysis investment.
“I’ve spoken with my personnel regularly, almost definitely each and every 4 or 5 hours for the ultimate six or 8 days and it’s developing an actual catch 22 situation for Putin,” Biden mentioned.
“And we’ve been in direct touch, consistent touch with the Ukrainians. That’s all I’m going to mention about it whilst it’s lively.”
Ukraine’s best army commander says his forces at the moment are in regulate of just about 400 sq. miles within the Kursk border area, whilst an embarrassed Vladimir Putin vowed to “kick the enemy out.” by way of REUTERS
Biden and maximum US officers deflected prior questions concerning the eight-day Ukrainian offensive within the Kursk area north of Kharkiv — which Russian government have struggled to include amid deepening good points via Ukraine.
The incursion is thought to be an effort via Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve leverage forward of conceivable peace negotiations. It has additionally compelled Putin to divert troops from within Ukraine again to Russia to offer protection to their very own territory.
US officers ultimate week deflected press questions about the most recent combating via pronouncing they have been making an attempt to be told extra — regardless that management movements indicated a loss of US disapproval.
On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced $125 million in new US army support to Ukraine, together with air protection methods, rockets, artillery munitions and anti-tank guns.
White Area Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby demurred Friday when requested concerning the counteroffensive.
A fireplace in a residential construction following a missile assault in Kursk, Russia. TELEGRAM / @glavaigorkutsak/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with army officers as they scramble to respond to Ukraine’s now week-long incursion. AP
President Biden declined to remark at the Kursk offensive when leaving the White Area on Tuesday, sooner than doing so hours later in New Orleans. Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock
“We’re involved with our Ukrainian opposite numbers, and we’re operating to achieve a greater working out of what they’re doing, what their objectives are, what their technique is, and I’m going to depart slightly little bit of area for us to have the ones conversations sooner than I attempt to symbolize what’s happening,” Kirby mentioned.
Biden prior to now comfy American constraints on apparatus donated to Ukraine. In Might, Biden allowed Ukraine to make use of US missiles for restricted cross-border moves on Russian staging places for airstrikes.
The incursion is a significant embarrassment to Putin — who additionally struggled ultimate yr to include an audacious cross-border rebel via mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who alleged Kremlin incompetence in waging Putin’s invasion of Ukraine since February 2022.
Ukraine’s counter-invasion of Russia comes because the Nov. 5 US presidential election may just regulate American coverage within the war — with former President Donald Trump vowing to barter an finish to the conflict sooner than taking workplace Jan. 20, which Zelensky has mentioned he fears would imply harsh Ukrainian concessions.
Congress in April authorized $60.8 billion in support for Ukraine to withstand the Russian invasion — on best of $113 billion appropriated previous within the war — however Trump additionally has groused concerning the quantity of international support being distributed.