Direct conflict between Russia and Nato would be ‘World War Three’-US President Joe Biden
Joe Biden has issued a stark warning 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 US president personally vetoes plan to send fighter jets from Poland, reportedly fearing it could escalate tensions with Vladimir Putin
Earlier this week, Poland publicly announced it was offering its 28 MiG-29s to the US.
It would send them to the US air base at Ramstein, Germany, so they could then be transferred to Ukraine.
But the US president dismissed the possibility, fearing it could lead to a direct conflict.
He said: “We will defend every single inch of Nato territory with the full might of a united and galvanised Nato.”
But he added: “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 was “one movement”, which is why he had moved thousands of US troops along the borders with Russia.
“Because they move once, 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 … although we will not fight the Third World War in Ukraine.
“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 you all say, that’s called World War III. Okay? Let’s get it straight here guys.”
It emerged that Mr Biden took the decision after advice from officials at the Pentagon and US intelligence chiefs, who believed Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, would view it as “escalatory”.
This online platform understands that Mr Biden was also advised by senior military officials that the planes would not significantly increase the effectiveness of the Ukrainian air force.
While the debate over the proposal was under way 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 sitting target has now been missed.
A senior US defence official said Ukraine had about 56 planes remaining, more than 80 per cent of its starting capability – but was only flying five to 10 sorties a day.
The official said: “The Ukrainians have been very creative in how they’re using the air power available to them. They have made effective use of drones, which are cheap, and they’re trained on them.
“They can fly below radar coverage and they’re using them with terrific effect, particularly against Russian ground movements.”
Claiming the Ukrainians “haven’t proven they need to do more than they’re doing”, the official said: “They’ve been very effective with the tools they have.”
However, Tom Cotton, a Republican who sits on the Senate intelligence committee, accused Mr Biden of “timid, hesitating half-measures”.
Sending planes had widespread support among Republicans and Democrats, after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, pleaded for them to boost his air force.
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, accusing him of backing down “every time Vladimir Putin says ‘boo'”.
Mr Cotton 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 president and it is a ridiculous decision, and it makes the United States look ridiculous.
“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.”
Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was on Friday 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 airplanes, they need equipment to fight with. They need this assistance and they need it right now.”
Mr Biden added: “We will make sure Ukraine has weapons to defend against an invading Russian force. We will send money and food and aid to save the Ukrainian people.
“I will welcome Ukrainian refugees. We should welcome them here with open arms.
“We already know Putin’s war in Ukraine will never be a victory. He hoped to dominate Ukraine without a fight, he failed. He hoped to fracture European resolve, he failed. He hoped to weaken the transatlantic alliance, he failed. He hoped to split apart American democracy, he failed.
“The American people are united, the world is united. We will not let autocrats and would-be emperors dictate the direction of the world.
“We’re going to hit Putin harder. The totality of our sanctions and export controls is crushing the Russian economy.”
John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said the Russians were beginning to gain some momentum in Ukraine.
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.”
On Friday 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.
Culled: Telegraph. Co. uk
