President Joe Biden is asking American citizens in Ukraine to leave the country “now,” warning that if Russia does invade, he will not send U.S. forces to “rescue” them.”
During a portion of an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt set to air on Super Bowl Sunday that was released on Thursday, Biden was asked about concerns about a potential invasion of Ukraine.
Holt asked, “What scenarios would [send] American troops to rescue and get Americans out?”
“There’s not. That’s a world war when Americans and Russians start shooting at one another. We’re in a very different world than we’ve ever been in,” Biden responded.
When asked if he would send U.S. forces into Ukraine “on behalf of simply evacuating Americans.”
“No. How do you do that? How do you even find them?” Biden said, adding, “I’m hoping that if, in fact, he’s foolish enough to go in, he’s smart enough not to do anything that would negatively impact on American citizens.”
Watch the video below:
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with @LesterHoltNBC, President Joe Biden discusses the growing number of states rolling back mask requirements, the tense standoff with Russia over Ukraine, skyrocketing inflation, where he is in his search for a SCOTUS nominee and more. pic.twitter.com/NYjldwQ9x2
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) February 11, 2022
Holt asked Biden if he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that American citizens would be “a line that they can’t cross.”
Biden said, “I didn’t have to tell him that. I’ve spoken about that. He knows that… Look, what I’ve asked is American citizens should leave, should leave now.”
“We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. This is a very different situation, and things can go crazy quickly,” he added.
Biden’s comments come as Russia has amassed around 130,000 soldiers on Ukraine’s borders, stoking fears that it is planning an invasion.
This week, 30,000 Russian troops began a massive military exercise in Belarus that is supposed to end on Feb. 20. However, officials believe it could be used as cover for a potential invasion.
