Biden: Ukrainian offensive in Kursk creates real dilemma for Putin
- The Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region has created a real dilemma for Putin, - said Joe Biden when asked about the Ukrainian actions in the Kursk region.
"Biden said he had been briefed every four to five hours for the last six to eight days on Ukraine’s action," The Guardian reports.
- It's a real dilemma for Putin. We are in direct contact, constant contact with the Ukrainians, - said Biden, answering journalists' questions on the airport tarmac in New Orleans.
This was the president's first comment on the Ukrainian offensive on Russian territory. Administration representatives had cautiously addressed the situation, limiting themselves to stating that decisions regarding Ukrainian military operations were up to Ukraine, and the USA was not forewarned about the operation in the Kursk region.
On Tuesday, during a briefing aboard Air Force One, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre emphasised that the United States is not involved in Ukraine's offensive inside Russia.
Earlier, Joe Biden avoided commenting. When asked at the White House about the Ukrainian counteroffensive, he stated that he "preferred not to comment".
Will Iran attack? Biden comments
In New Orleans, Biden also referred to the expected Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel for the assassination of the political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on 31 July. Biden stated that he expects Iran to refrain from retaliation if an agreement between Hamas and Israel regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is reached beforehand. The White House warned that an Iranian attack might occur this week, although a new round of peace talks is set to start on Thursday.
Biden also admitted that reaching an agreement to stop the war is becoming more challenging but assured that he "will not give up".
