More Damage Control: Psaki Scambles, Walks Back Biden Russian Invasion Gaffe

After President Joe Biden suggested on Wednesday a “minor incursion” by Russia into Ukraine would elicit a mild response from the U.S., the White House attempted to walk back the comments after backlash.

While addressing a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, Biden said “It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion” that leads to a fight “about what to do and not do.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki subsequently defended Biden’s remarks, reframing them as an attempt to show the administration is prepared for “a range of scenarios.”

“You know, I think he — we have a range of what he was — the point he was making is that we have a range of tools, right? I’m not going to outline for you here ‘what if this, what if that.’ I think what should be clear to everyone — and I think he was very clear on this this morning — is that if Russia, if President Putin decides to invade Ukraine, if they move military troops, military across the border, that’s an invasion.  And there will be severe economic consequences,” Psaki said.