During his relatively brief Friday speech on the Russia-Ukraine war, President Biden called for an end to normal trade relations with Russia, clearing the way for increased import tariffs, and announced a ban on Russian-made vodka and caviar, as we detailed earlier.
But perhaps the most important part of the speech came when Biden once again pledged that the United States would not directly engage in conflict with Russia, as this scenario would lead to "World War III" between NATO and Russia - in the president's words.
Biden: "We will not fight a war against Russia in Ukraine. A direct confrontation between NATO and Russia is world war 3 -- something we must strive to prevent. But we already know Putin's war against Ukraine will never be a victory." pic.twitter.com/gxxqxkgHHP
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 11, 2022
"We’re going to continue to stand together with our allies in Europe and send an unmistakable message. We will defend every single inch of NATO territory with the full might of the united and galvanized NATO," Biden said after detailing some of the fresh anti-Russia sanctions.
"We will not fight a war against Russia in Ukraine. Direct conflict between NATO and Russia is World War III, something we must strive to prevent," he stressed.
And at a moment that 'false flag' accusations continue to fly between Russia, Ukraine, and the US - Biden was asked a question by a reporter in the press pool at the moment he wrapped up the televised address over what the US response would be in the event Russia launched a "chemical weapons attack".
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