President Joe Biden was adamant that U.S. weapons would not be used to strike Moscow or the Kremlin after he authorized Ukraine to use them in Russia during an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor David Muir at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Muir asked Biden if U.S.-made weapons have already been used in Russia since he signed off on their use, limiting use to areas near the Russian-occupied Kharkiv region. The president did not directly answer, but made clear they would not be authorized to be used to target Russia’s capital city or seat of government.
“They’re authorized to be used in proximity to the border when they’re being used on the other side of the border to attack specific targets in Ukraine,” Biden told Muir of U.S. weapons. “We’re not authorizing strikes 200 miles into Russia and we’re not authorizing strikes on Moscow, on the Kremlin.”
ABC News’ David Muir sat down exclusively with President Joe Biden in Normandy, France, on the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024.
ABC News
Muir asked the president about Vladimir Putin’s comments overnight, that “the supply of high-precision weapons to Ukraine for strikes on Russian territory is direct participation in this war.”
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“Does that concern you?” Muir asked Biden.
“I’ve known him for over 40 years. He’s concerned me for 40 years. He’s not a decent man,” Biden said. “He’s a dictator, and he’s struggling to make sure he holds his country together while still keeping this assault going. We’re not talking about giving them weapons to strike Moscow, to strike the Kremlin, to strike against — just across the border, where they’re receiving significant fire from conventional weapons used by the Russians to go into Ukraine to kill Ukrainians.”
For more from Muir’s interview with President Biden, watch ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Biden is in France to commemorate the day Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in 1944, setting off a chain of events that led to the fall of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. Later Thursday, Biden plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the war effort.
In a recent meeting with ABC News anchor David Muir, President Joe Biden reassured the American public that US weapons will not be used to strike Moscow or the Kremlin. This statement comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Russia, particularly in light of Russia’s recent military actions in Ukraine.
During the interview, Muir pressed President Biden on the possibility of a military confrontation with Russia, specifically asking if US weapons could be used to target Moscow or the Kremlin. In response, President Biden made it clear that such actions were not on the table.
“We are not seeking a military conflict with Russia,” President Biden stated firmly. “Our goal is to de-escalate tensions and find diplomatic solutions to the current crisis in Ukraine.”
President Biden’s reassurance comes at a critical time, as the world watches closely to see how the situation in Ukraine unfolds. The United States has been vocal in its support for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s aggression and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Despite the tense rhetoric coming from both sides, President Biden’s commitment to diplomacy and his pledge not to use US weapons against Moscow or the Kremlin sends a strong message of restraint and a willingness to engage in dialogue.
It is important to note that while tensions between the US and Russia remain high, both countries have a vested interest in avoiding a direct military confrontation. The use of US weapons against Moscow or the Kremlin would likely escalate the situation further and could have serious consequences for global security.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy and seek peaceful solutions to the crisis in Ukraine. President Biden’s reassurance to David Muir serves as a reminder of the importance of de-escalation and dialogue in resolving conflicts and maintaining international stability.
