Rosalind Evans
President Joe Biden on Monday clarified that the United States and its Western allies had no part in the recent upheaval in Russia. This was his initial public statement following the incident, affirming that the West was not associated with the rebellion.
Addressing the White House, Biden conveyed that it’s too early to predict the course of these developments. He also mentioned the possibility of additional conversations with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to align their reaction post their Sunday call.
“Definitive conclusions about the direction of this situation cannot be drawn at this point,” he stated in the East Room. “The outcome is yet to be determined. However, I will ensure that our allies and partners remain on the same page regarding our understanding and reaction to this situation.”
Biden’s remarks reflect a meticulously calculated US response to the short-lived insurgency led by the Wagner Group, posing the most significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years.
Biden maintained silence over the weekend regarding the events taking place in Russia. Before departing for Camp David with his national security adviser Jake Sullivan, he held phone discussions with European allies on Saturday.
Biden provided insight into his strategic approach on Monday, criticized by some Republicans for being excessively cautious.
“Our priority was to avoid giving Putin any reason to attribute this to the West or NATO. We made it clear that we were not involved. We had no role in it. This was part of an internal struggle within Russia,” Biden stated.
According to Biden, American allies in Europe concurred with the strategy. He had conversations with the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada over the weekend and intended to communicate with another head of state on Monday.
Biden’s remarks align with previous statements made by his administration, both publicly and privately, since the Wagner Group vacated its positions in Ukraine, seemingly heading towards Moscow. As reported by CNN, the administration promptly assured the Russian government that the US would not intervene in the incident.
Earlier on Monday, a spokesperson for the National Security Council denied any US involvement in the Russian rebellion. This came in response to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement that Russian special services were examining whether Western intelligence services played a part in the insurrection.
Despite Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin redirecting his forces before reaching Moscow, likely due to a pact with the Kremlin arranged by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Biden mentioned that the situation in Russia remains uncertain.
“We will continue to evaluate the repercussions of the events this weekend and the potential implications for Russia and Ukraine,” he added.
As the political upheaval unfolds in Russia, the United States maintains its stance of non-interference while closely monitoring the situation. With constant communication with Western allies, the US seeks to ensure a coordinated and unified response. Despite uncertainties, the Biden administration’s message is clear: neither the US nor its allies had any hand in the internal struggles of Russia. The world watches as the situation evolves, waiting to see the impacts on Russia, Ukraine, and international relations.
