Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday the US should arm Ukraine, a day after President Joe Biden’s remarks raised questions about an international response to a Russian invasion.

Biden seemed to imply during a news conference on Wednesday that the US and its allies might not be unified in response to Russia if it attacks Ukraine in “a minor incursion.”

The comments, which the president and White House sought to clarify amid backlash, served as a signal to Russia that it was okay to “take some” of Ukraine, McConnell said on Thursday.

“I hope Vladimir Putin doesn’t misunderstand the message: No incursion into Ukraine is acceptable,” McConnell said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report.”

The US should send anti-tank weapons and ground-to-air missiles to protect against helicopters before Russian forces amassed near the Ukraine border launch an offensive, McConnell said.

“They’re testing us to see whether we will do anything of consequence to keep them from gobbling up part of another sovereign country,” McConnell said. “That hasn’t happened since World War II. I don’t think Vladimir Putin understands sovereignty.

https://nypost.com/2022/01/20/mitch-mcconnell-us-should-arm-ukraine-after-bidens-russia-comments/

President Biden lashed out Thursday at a reporter for what he called a “stupid question” about Russia potentially invading Ukraine — as the White House scrambled to clean up Biden’s Wednesday gaffe that Russia may face less blowback for a “minor incursion.”

As reporters were escorted out of a science-focused meeting next door to the White House, Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich shouted, “Why are you waiting on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to make the first move, sir?”

Biden’s answer was not captured on the official video livestream, but press audio engineers recorded him saying, “What a stupid question,” according to a pool report by Yahoo’s Alexander Nazaryan.

https://nypost.com/2022/01/20/biden-lashes-out-at-reporters-stupid-question-after-ukraine-gaffe/