Joe Biden is ‘provoking’ Putin to take Ukraine, Republicans say

U.S. President Joe Biden predicted a Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday. He expects President Vladimir Putin to take that step, despite the major economic consequences of such an incursion on Russia.

Biden did suggest that a “small incursion” would provoke a lesser reaction than a large-scale invasion of the country.

“I’m not so sure he knows what he’s going to do. I think he’ll move in. He has to do something,”

Biden said in a speech celebrating his first year as president. “He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.”

The Republicans criticize Biden and accuse him of tacitly approving an attack by Russian troops.

“Joe Biden’s impotence encouraged Vladimir Putin, and now he has given Putin the green light to invade Ukraine,” Cotton tweeted. Senator Marco Rubio called Biden’s comments “bizarre”.

The White House quickly moved to clarify Biden’s comments. “If Russian forces cross the Ukrainian border, it is a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, tough and united response from the United States and our allies,” Psaki said.