Biden vetoed MIG deal over fears of ‘World War Three’
JOE BIDEN issued a stark warning last night that direct conflict between Russia and Nato would be “World War Three” as it emerged he personally vetoed a plan to send fighter jets from Poland to the Ukrainian air force.
The United States president said Nato was “galvanised” and would defend its territory, but must not fight in Ukraine because it would be a new world war.
Mr Biden said: “We will defend every single inch of Nato territory with the full might of a united and galvanised Nato. [But] we will not fight a war against Russia in Ukraine.
“Direct confrontation between Nato and Russia is World War Three, something we must strive to prevent.”
He said Nato had moved thousands of US troops along the borders with Russia to prevent the war spreading.
“Because they move once [into Nato territory], granted, if we respond, it is World War Three,” Mr Biden said.
“But we have a sacred obligation on Nato territory, a sacred obligation, Article Five, and we will not, although we will not, fight the Third World War in Ukraine.”
The president added: “The idea that we’re going to send in offensive equipment, and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews – just understand. “Don’t kid yourself. No matter what y’all say, that’s called World War Three. OK? Let’s get it straight here, guys.”
Mr Biden rejected the possibility of sending Poland’s MIG-29 combat aircraft to Ukraine, fearing it could lead to just such direct conflict.
However, Republicans lambasted the president, accusing him of being “timid” and backing down “every time Vladimir Putin says ‘boo’”.
Some 40 of the 50 Republicans in the US Senate signed a letter calling on Mr Biden to reverse his decision on the Polish so-called “rent-a-mig” scheme.
The sending of aircraft had widespread support among Republicans and Democrats after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, pleaded for them to boost his air force.
Earlier this week, Poland publicly announced it was offering its 28 Mig29s to the US.
It would send them to the US airbase at Ramstein in Germany, so they could then be transferred to Ukraine, but the US rejected the idea.
Now, it has emerged Mr Biden took the decision after advice from officials at the Pentagon and US intelligence chiefs, who believed Mr Putin would view it as “escalatory”.
Mr Biden was also advised by senior military officials that the aircraft would not significantly increase the effectiveness of the Ukrainian air force. While the debate over the proposal was underway in Washington, Russia’s 40-mile convoy north of Kyiv was beginning to disperse around the city ahead of what is expected to be a fierce siege.
Any opportunity to seriously strike the Russian column has now been missed.
Tom Cotton, a Republican who sits on the Senate intelligence committee, accused Mr Biden of “timid, hesitating half-measures”.
He said: “There is no intelligence that these aircraft, somehow uniquely, are going to be escalatory in Vladimir Putin’s eyes.
“This is only the policy decision of
‘The Ukrainians need aeroplanes, they need equipment to fight with. They need this assistance and they need it now’
the president and it is a ridiculous decision, and it makes the United States look ridiculous.”
Mr Cotton added: “It is yet another instance in which Joe Biden has allowed Vladimir Putin to back him down by saying ‘Boo’. If we continue to blink every time Vladimir Putin says ‘Boo’, it’s not going to stop in Ukraine, it’s not going to stop in Europe.”
America’s top general, Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was making phone calls to Republican senators to explain the military advice given to the president, and his subsequent decision.
But Mitch Mcconnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said: “This administration has been a step behind every step of the way. The Ukrainians need aeroplanes, they need equipment to fight with. They need this assistance and they need it right now.”
Mr Biden said: “We will make sure Ukraine has weapons to defend against an invading Russian force.”
John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said the Russians were beginning to gain some momentum.
He said: “There’s Russian bombardment and shelling going on quite violently as we speak. And we do assess that the Russians are beginning to make more momentum on the ground towards Kyiv, particularly from the east. Not quite so much from the north.”
Meanwhile, the White House has enlisted Tiktok influencers to help in tackling the Ukraine crisis.
Thirty of the most followed Tiktok stars were briefed by Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, along with key members of the National Security Council staff.
The Chinese-owned social media app is seen as an effective way of communicating with young people. In recent months, it has been used to try to persuade people to get vaccinated.
The latest briefing was conducted by Matt Miller, a special adviser for communications at the White House National Security Council, The Washington Post reported.
It is understood Tiktok influencers were informed about US strategic goals in the region and how aid can be distributed to beleaguered Ukrainians.
Last night, the US put sanctions on two Russian individuals and three institutions over their support for North Korea’s weapons programme.
The sanctions target “a network of Russia-based individuals and entities complicit in helping [North Korea] procure components for its unlawful ballistic missile systems,” Brian Nelson, the Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said.