Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov has blasted the Biden administration and media’s coverage of Russia’s perceived advance on Ukraine as “hysteria.”
Amid fear of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the United States has already begun evacuating the U.S. embassy in the region. The Pentagon also put 8,500 troops on alert and announced that it will deploy the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier to assist NATO allies in the Mediterranean Sea.
In a press conference last week, Biden spoke against Russian aggression, saying, “Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, et cetera.”
According to a report by Newsmax, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described Joe Biden’s “minor incursion” comments at last week’s press conference as overhyping the situation between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine has been quick to point out the danger of internal destabilization caused by hysteria. Danilov stated Monday, “Without internal destabilization, the Russians have nothing to do here. They bet on the issue of internal destabilization.”
President Zelensky has addressed the nation of Ukraine after Biden’s response to Russia, saying, “All our citizens, especially the elderly, need to understand this. Take a deep breath. Calm down.” He added, “To all the media – remain mass media, not sources of mass hysteria. In the pursuit of hype don’t help the enemy, reporting daily that war may start tomorrow! This will definitely not stop it.”
The Ukrainian reaction to media reports and actions of the Biden administration shifts the narrative of the situation between Russia and Ukraine. The president of Ukraine is attempting to warn the media, the United States, and its allies throughout the world that “mass hysteria” over the issue could lead to more problems.
In his address to the nation, Zelensky urged the Ukrainian people, “Keep your head calm and cool, remain confident in your strength, in your Army, in our Ukraine. Do not get anxious, react smartly to everything, not emotionally! With your head, not your heart.”
While the United States is preparing for a military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, perhaps Ukraine’s calm response will keep the peace between the two nations and a peaceful resolution can result. However, as the Ukrainian government is reminding the media and the Biden administration, daily reports of war on the horizon will not aid the pursuit of peace.