Biden confronts journalist over Putin war threat during press conference

During a recent press conference in Washington, US President Joe Biden had a tense exchange with Sky News correspondent James Matthews regarding Vladimir Putin's threats of war. The confrontation occurred while Biden and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were discussing military support for Ukraine. Matthews pressed Biden on Putin's warning that the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine could escalate the conflict to a NATO-Russia war. Biden responded sharply, instructing Matthews to be quiet as he attempted to deliver his remarks. The backdrop of this exchange involves ongoing discussions about military aid to Ukraine, particularly the potential use of Western long-range missiles against Russian targets. President Zelensky of Ukraine has been advocating for the use of US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles to counter Russian aggression. However, Biden's administration has been cautious, weighing the implications of such actions on NATO's involvement in the conflict. Putin's statements, made just before the press conference, indicated that any deployment of Western missiles would be viewed as a direct confrontation with NATO, prompting Russia to reassess its military strategy. The Russian president emphasized that NATO personnel would be involved in programming these missiles, which could escalate tensions significantly. As the situation develops, Biden's administration is reportedly considering lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of British missiles, but concerns remain about provoking a stronger response from Russia, including the potential deployment of hypersonic nuclear weapons. The dynamics of this conflict continue to evolve, with significant implications for international relations and security.