Biden All Bark No Bite

A two-year-old tweet from then-presidential nominee Joe Biden accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of being scared of him has bitten him in the butt two years later as Russia invades parts of Ukraine.

Biden tweeted on Feb. 21, 2020, that Putin “doesn’t want me to be President.”

“He doesn’t want me to be our nominee. If you’re wondering why — it’s because I’m the only person in this field who’s ever gone toe-to-toe with him.”

Two years to the day later, Putin recognized the independence of two Ukrainian regions. Many see the move as signaling that Putin is no longer interested in negotiating to find a diplomatic resolution.

Following an anti-Ukraine speech Monday, Putin signed decrees recognizing the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. He also strategically ordered Russian armed forces to enter the territories for “peacekeeping functions.”

Biden issued an executive order following Putin’s decree that “will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration “anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately.”

Biden’s order has been viewed as largely symbolic as those types of transactions are already nearly non-existent in Donetsk and Luhansk-occupied territories.

Psaki said, “these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.”