Here's What Russia Did in Ukraine While You Were All Squabbling Over Biden's 'Attack' on Putin

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-what-russia-in-ukraine-did-while-you-were-all-squabbling-over-bidens-attack-on-putin/?via=twitter_page

Joe Biden’s off-the-cuff declaration on Saturday that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power,” almost immediately walked back by the White House, has dominated Western news coverage this weekend as it stepped on the message the president was trying to put out while giving a boost to the Kremlin’s fanatical propaganda claims about a “fifth column” supposedly working towards regime change in Russia.

But don’t let the wall-to-wall coverage of Biden’s “rhetorical escalation” distract you from the very literal, bloody escalations by Putin’s shock troops.

You may have heard about the six missiles Russia fired at the Ukrainian city of Lviv even as Biden was speaking just across the border.

But what about the reports of white phosphorus munitions being used by Russian troops on Saturday night—just as much of the Western world was in a tizzy over Biden’s assessment of Putin. Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka shared photos of the white phosphorus raining down, days after President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned the world that Russia was using “phosphorus bombs against peaceful people in Ukraine.”

Using a highly toxic chemical substance known for its ability to burn, as one chemical weapons expert put it, “very vigorously” through human flesh—that’s an escalation the whole world should be talking about.

*snip*

[canetoad]

1. 'Squabbling'

The very soul of onomatopoeticism.

[lindysalsagal]

2. Biden's right, of course.

[JohnSJ]

3. unbelievable misplaced outrage

[2fast4u]

4. The problem

The problem is that Biden’s comment strengthens Putin. Now any internal pressure to remove him will be framed by the Kremlin as doing America’s bidding. It weakened whatever Russian opposition existed.

That’s the reason Every Single diplomat and administration official is falling over themselves to tell us he didn’t really mean it.

[vercetti2021]

5. Uh

What? It's the right wing flipping a shit. Nothing is gonna give Pooty strength. Nice try 2 poster.

[Wingus Dingus]

6. There is some truth to this--makes Russians rally around Putin

("he's a bastard but he's OUR bastard" ) rather than gather the courage to oust him, possibly. Joe fucked up here. They walked it back. Everyone should move on.

[Disaffected]

7. Agreed. nt

ETA: Don't let the rude snark deter you.

[GP6971]

8. Welcome to DU! n/t

[Tommymac]

9. Yeah right. Your pov is laughable.

Welcome to DU, enjoy your stay.

[SheltieLover]

10. Wth did WH walk it back?

Is it not obvious pootin has to go???

[calimary]

11. That's my question as well.

Y’all okay with him sticking around and continuing to make trouble then?

I’m certainly not. I’d bet most of the rest of the world feels the same way. If/when anything - um - decisive befalls him, I bet most of the world would either cheer or breathe a big sigh of relief.