Biden Says U.S. Won’t Send ‘Offensive Weapons’ with American Crews to Ukraine: ‘That’s Called World War Three, Okay?’

President Joe Biden said the U.S.  won’t “send in offensive equipment” like planes and tanks with American crews to Ukraine, promising that “we will not fight the third World War in Ukraine.”

On Friday, President Biden spoke at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, covering a variety of topics that included Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

During one portion of the speech, Biden tried to reassure everyone that he would not get pulled into “World War Three” in Ukraine — although NATO territory is a different story:

[W]e’re going to continue to stand together with our allies in Europe and send an unmistakable message that we will defend every inch of NATO territory –- every single inch — with a united, galvanized NATO. One movement.

That’s why I’ve moved over 12,000 American forces along the borders with Russia — Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, et cetera — because they move once. Granted, if we respond, it is World War Three, but we have a sacred obligation on NATO territory — a sacred obligation — Article 5. And we will not — although we will not fight the third World War in Ukraine. Putin’s war against Ukraine is never going to be a victory.

Democrats [Democracies] are rising to meet the moment, relying — rallying the world on the side of peace and security. We are showing a strength, and we’ll never falter.

But, look, the idea — the idea that we’re going to send in offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews, just understand — and don’t kid yourself, no matter what you all say — that’s called “World War Three.” Okay? Let’s get it straight here, guys. That old expression — “Don’t kid a kidder.”

Biden went on to talk about the crippling sanctions that the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Putin and Russia.

Watch above via CNBC.