The White House and the Pentagon on Tuesday indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin was bluffing after Russia announced a troop withdrawal near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
“I think we should keep a clear eye on the reality of what’s happening on the ground, and nobody should be fooled by Russia’s announcements,” said White House communications director Kate Bedingfield, deputy press secretary Jen Psaki and deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who both tested positive for COVID-19.
“We believe any movement of forces around here is a redeployment, not a retreat, and the world should be prepared for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine,” Bedingfield added.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby sang a similar tune on Tuesday, saying: “We shouldn’t fool ourselves — and no one should fool themselves when the Kremlin recently claims it will suddenly scale back military strikes near Kyiv, right?” any reports that he will withdraw all forces.’
Earlier, President Joe Biden invoked a wait-and-see approach when asked about Russia’s announcement during a “press statement” alongside Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said “no one should be fooled by Russia’s announcement” when she chimed in at Tuesday’s press briefing for Press Secretary Jen Psaki and her deputy Karine Jean-Pierre, both of whom are traveling with COVID-19 are
The Pentagon was also skeptical of Russia’s announcement that there would be a troop withdrawal near Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin was photographed in Moscow last week
Ukrainians wait to board a train as they leave the western parts of the country on Tuesday, amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on their country
“We’ll see, I don’t read anything into it until I see what their actions are. We’ll see if they implement their proposal,” Biden replied.
He noted negotiations continued throughout Tuesday as he spoke early this morning with European leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi .
“There seems to be a consensus that — let’s just see what they have to offer,” Biden said. “We will find out what they are doing, but in the meantime we will continue to keep the sanctions strong, we will continue to give the Ukrainian military the ability to defend itself and we will continue to keep a close eye on what’s ahead goes.’
Biden’s comments to the press came a day after he tried to explain what he meant when he said in Warsaw on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.”
That Q&A prompted more head-scratching when Biden said he expressed his “moral outrage” at making the unscripted comment, but clarified that he was not calling for regime change.
President Joe Biden answered a reporter’s question during a “press statement” he made with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) and President Joe Biden (right) attended a news conference at the White House on Tuesday afternoon
Reporters cautioned that Biden’s comments could inadvertently be used by Russia to justify further escalation.
“Nobody believes I spoke about taking down Putin…nobody believes that,” Biden replied Monday. “I have expressed my outrage at this man’s behavior.”
Biden kept his appearance short and scripted alongside Lee Tuesday in the Oval Office, balancing a note card on his lap.
“The rules-based order faces unprecedented challenges,” said Biden, who was seated next to the Singaporean leader. “Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war on Ukraine is an urgent threat to both Europe and, I believe, the Indo-Pacific.”
Noting that “borders cannot be changed by force,” Biden said that every nation, big or small, has the “right to its sovereignty.”
“I want to thank you, Prime Minister, for Singapore’s principled leadership in supporting the Ukrainian people,” continued the US President. “I know it’s not easy, but I want to thank you for it. You’re a man of principle and you’ve stepped up every time you had to.
Singapore is standing out in the region by joining the United States and Western allies in sanctioning Russia for its actions against Ukraine.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) meets with President Joe Biden (right) in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden (pictured) entertains Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on an unseasonably cold March day
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore speaks at the head of his meeting with President Joe Biden Tuesday in the Oval Office
Biden – who sat in front of a roaring fire as Tuesday was an unseasonably cold day in DC – said the two leaders would discuss the US-ASEAN relationship, the “freedom of the seas” code for China’s claims in the South China Sea – promoting a return to democracy in Burma and sustained economic growth between the two nations.
Lee thanked Biden for welcoming him at “this special moment in world affairs.”
“I’m sure you’re blown away by what’s happening in Europe right now,” Lee said.
Lee called Singapore a “very good partner” for the United States. “And our relations are very good,” added the Prime Minister.
“We will of course also exchange views on Ukraine and what that means for the Asia-Pacific region,” Lee said.
Appearing together in the East Room after the meeting, the leaders made it clear that Ukraine and Russia dominated the conversation, but other issues – including North Korea’s recent weapons tests – were also discussed.
“Today, with the Prime Minister’s visit and Singapore’s strong leadership on this issue, it is clear that Putin’s war is unacceptable to nations in all regions of the world — not just Europe, but all regions of the world,” Biden said.
“We cannot tolerate a country that argues that another country’s independence is the result of historical mistakes and crazy decisions,” Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in the East Room on Tuesday
He also said of Lee, “Both you and Singapore are hitting well above your weight – well above your weight.”
In return, Lee thanked Biden for the “very warm welcome”.
“Singapore is a staunch supporter of international law and the UN charter prohibiting aggression against a sovereign state. And that is why we have strongly condemned Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine,” Singapore’s Prime Minister said.
He called Russia’s incursion into Ukraine “unacceptable”.
“We cannot condone a country that argues that another country’s independence is the result of historical mistakes and crazy decisions,” Lee said.
Lee also discussed how the conflict in Ukraine could have repercussions in the Asia-Pacific region, where certain territorial disputes could “escalate into open conflict.”
“Countries with interests in the region must make every effort to resolve disagreements through peaceful means so that we can avoid reaching a point of no return,” Lee said, encouraging “open channels of dialogue” between countries , also at management level.
As for Biden, he said there are “a lot of friends in the area who want you to stay active and consistently engaged.”
Lee was the first leader of a member nation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to visit Biden’s White House.
Biden was due to travel to Asia later this spring for an ASEAN meeting, but that trip has now been delayed due to scheduling conflicts.
“We’re disappointed, but we’re trying very hard to look at ways we can find a good time to plan for this,” the official said.
However, Biden will host a summit of ASEAN leaders at the White House later in the spring.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Singapore in August.
Lee will also visit Harris on Tuesday.
Lee spent time at the Pentagon with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday.
Biden and Lee last met in October on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left) greets Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) before their meeting at the Pentagon Monday