U.S. President Joe Biden during a press conference at the White House in WashingtonMOSCOW, Jan 20US President Joe Biden, in his speech during a press conference on January 20, did not say anything fundamentally new, rather, he even disappointed Kiev and some representatives of the European Union, to whom his words seemed not too harsh, the program director of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) told RIA Novosti ) Ivan Timofeev. Biden said that Ukraine can be sure of the support of the United States. At a press conference, the US president admitted that «a minor Russian invasion of Ukraine» could lead to a more restrained reaction from Washington and allies than a full-scale one. The latter scenario, as Biden emphasized, would turn into a «catastrophe» for Russia. Following Biden's speech, his press secretary released a statement, indicating that the United States and allies intend to give the Russian Federation a «quick and tough response» if the situation escalates. Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations by the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», stating that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous.Biden said that the United States will be called Russia's «invasion» of Ukraine»During the press conference, Joe Biden rather disappointed Kiev and his European allies. After all, in fact, he explained that the sanctions would be calibrated depending on what Russia allows itself in concerning Ukraine. Judging by the agitated comments that have appeared, some in Ukraine and Europe fear that Moscow will perceive such a position of Washington as a signal for action, «Timofeev said, stressing that this is not really the case. «Biden's message is reasonable, any The policy of sanctions always depends on the circumstances. The President of the United States, repeating once again the thesis about anti-Russian sanctions, nevertheless did not escalate the situation,» the expert emphasized. «Biden is not just scary, he specifically says that if you do this, we will answer this way,» he said. The Americans in this sense, according to Timofeev, take a much clearer position than Russia. «Moscow says that it is dissatisfied with the West's policy towards Ukraine and does not want NATO expansion. But what Russia will do, what steps it will take if Washington does not accept our proposals, we do not say,» he said.
How Biden is trying to intimidate RussiaThe expert is sure that a tough version of confrontation is unlikely, will not solve any problems, but will only multiply them and cause damage. «Therefore, the parties will try to find a compromise,» Timofeev concluded. At the end of 2021, Russia published draft treaties with the United States and agreements with NATO on security guarantees. Moscow, in particular, demands from its Western partners legal guarantees of refusing further eastward expansion of NATO, joining the Ukrainian bloc, and establishing military bases in post-Soviet countries. Last week, a series of consultations took place between Russia, the United States and NATO on security guarantees: on January 9-10, the issue was discussed in Geneva at meetings with the United States, on January 12 — during a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council, on January 13 — at the OSCE site. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the United States promised next week to «put on paper» a response to Russia's proposals, a written response from NATO is also expected within a week. Russia, according to Lavrov, needs a specific response to each article of the documents put forward, the further actions of Moscow and the prospects for resuming negotiations will depend on the response of the United States and NATO.
