Biden expects Putin to realize Ukraine war not in 'interest of Russia'
4 Min Read
US President Joe Biden had a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto during a trip to the country, reaffirming the added value of Finland's new NATO membership.
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US President Joe Biden arrives for a news conference with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (AP)
During his trip to Finland on Thursday, US President Joe Biden told Finnish President Sauli Niinisto that his decision to approve Finland's bid to join NATO took him no more than a few seconds.
Biden said that "It took me about three seconds to say yes," adding that it was "The fastest ratification that occurred in modern history." He considered Finland to be "an incredible asset to NATO" that has "the same value set" reaffirming that NATO as an alliance has never been stronger.
During the two Presidents' joint press statement, Biden underscored that it was not about whether Ukraine belongs in NATO, but about when Ukraine will be able to join. He explained “No one can join NATO while a war is going on, where a NATO nation is being attacked, because that guarantees that we're in a war, we're in a third world war. So that it's not about whether or not they [Ukraine] should or shouldn't join [NATO]," adding that "It's about when they can join, and they will join NATO.”
Moreover, Biden highlighted that he did not believe that the war in Ukraine can go on for years rationalizing based on two reasons. The US President outlined his argument saying "Number one, I don't think that the Russians could maintain the war forever in terms of their resources and capacity. Number two, I think that there is going to be a circumstance where eventually President Putin is going to decide it's not in the interest of Russia, economically, politically or otherwise, to continue this war."
When asked about US efforts to liberate Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich through a prisoner exchange, Biden said “I'm serious about a prisoner exchange," adding that "I'm serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway.”
It is worth noting that Gershkovich was detained in Russia and charged with espionage earlier in March, marking the first time a US reporter is detained on charges of espionage since the Cold War.
The Wall Street Journal said, in April, it would seek retaliation over the matter, noting it would call US authorities to expulse Russian journalists and diplomats. However, at the time, Biden said he has no intention of doing so at present.
"That’s not the plan right now," the US President told reporters when asked if he is going to expel Russian diplomats.
Zelensky ends up 'empty-handed' in Vilnius; no NATO timetable provided
NATO leaders on Tuesday crushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aspirations for a clear schedule for joining the alliance, saying they would only extend an invitation to join if "conditions are met."
At a NATO conference in Vilnius, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the alliance had never used "stronger language" to support Ukraine in its tough battle against Russia, although leaders vowed that "Ukraine's future is in NATO," vowing in a statement that they would extend an invitation to Kiev when conditions are met. However, the refusal to move any further than a 2008 pledge on future membership proved to be a cruel blow to Zelensky, who was in Vilnius to push his bid further.
Read more: Nearly half of Poles against immediate Ukrainian NATO membership: poll
Zelensky Tweeted that there was "no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the alliance. This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror," he added.
He added that "NATO will give Ukraine security, Ukraine will make NATO stronger," asserting that uncertainty is a weakness.
While Zelensky addressed the meeting in Vilnius, Russia announced that its forces advanced more than 1.5 kilometers on the eastern front.
Moreover, Western diplomats emphasized that there would be a larger package of support ideas meant to give Ukraine a military advantage in the war.
Read more: Senators offer bill to block any US president from leaving NATO
