Biden Tells Reporters He Warned Putin of ‘Severe Consequences’ for Invading Ukraine: ‘I Was Very Straightforward’

President Joe Biden revealed to assembled members of the press that he told Vladimir Putin there would be “severe consequences” if Russia attempts to invade Ukraine.

Biden spoke to reporters outside of the White House on Wednesday, where he faced a deluge of questions about his video conference with his Russian counterpart. The virtual meeting has drawn a great deal of political and media intrigue since Russian military forces have been consolidating near the Ukrainian border, which has sparked concerns about a possible invasion.

The White House insists Biden used part of the call to enunciate his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty from Russia, and the president told reporters “I was very straightforward” in telling Putin “if he invades Ukraine, there will be severe consequences, economic consequences like none he’s ever seen or ever have been seen in terms of being imposed.”

Biden emphasized that Putin understood what he was telling him and that the U.S. is prepared to reinforce their presence in NATO countries.

“In addition to that,” Biden continued, “I also made it clear that we would provide the defensive capability to the Ukrainians as well.”

Reporters eventually moved to ask Biden “can you rule out boots on the ground” in Ukraine. After Biden spoke about geopolitical implications of NATO’s mutual defense pledge, he told reporters “the idea the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia invading Ukraine is not in the cards right now, but what will happen is there will be severe consequences…”

The president concluded by saying he was “absolutely confident [Putin] got the message.”

Watch above, via Fox News.

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