During Joe Biden’s time as vice president under Barack Obama, their relationship appeared rock solid. On the surface, they were seen as a dynamic duo, often referred to as “best buddies” by the media.

The image was clear: Biden as the loyal sidekick, standing by Obama’s side as they navigated the complexities of domestic and foreign policy. Together, they were painted as the perfect partnership leading America into a brighter future.

But behind the polished smiles and staged photo-ops, it seems there were tensions brewing. Biden’s recent remarks about Obama suggest that not everything was as friendly as it seemed. While Biden publicly stood by Obama during their time in office, his private comments, as revealed in a new book by journalist Bob Woodward, tell a different story.

It turns out Biden was highly critical of Obama’s foreign policy decisions, particularly in dealing with Russia. As time has passed, the cracks in their “bromance” have become clearer.

From Daily Wire:
President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama for Russia invading Ukraine in 2022, according to a new book from Bob Woodward, saying that the former president’s weakness in 2014 led to Russian President Vladimir Putin feeling emboldened to go further.

Biden Blames Obama for Ukraine Invasion

According to Woodward’s new book War, Biden directly blamed Obama for Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Biden reportedly told a friend, “They f—ed up in 2014,” referring to Obama’s handling of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

In Biden’s view, Obama’s failure to act decisively against Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 led to a series of events that emboldened Putin, eventually culminating in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“We did nothing,” Biden fumed. “We gave Putin a license to continue!” Biden’s frustration was clear, accusing Obama of never taking Putin seriously. While Obama famously refrained from sending military aid to Ukraine during the 2014 crisis, Biden believes this move was a colossal mistake that set the stage for future Russian aggression. In a particularly fiery moment, Biden reportedly said, “Well, I’m revoking his f—ing license!”

The criticism from Biden marks a surprising and candid admission of his own administration’s failures under Obama. It’s a stark contrast to the united front they tried to project during their time in office.

More than just a minor disagreement, Biden’s remarks expose a deep frustration with Obama’s foreign policy decisions—decisions that Biden believes had lasting consequences.

Biden’s Frustration and Putin’s Nuclear Threats

As detailed in War, the Biden administration learned as early as October 2021 of Putin’s impending invasion of Ukraine. Thanks to what Woodward calls “an astonishing intelligence coup,” U.S. officials had access to highly classified information from within the Kremlin itself.

This intelligence provided a roadmap of Putin’s military plans, giving the U.S. a rare look inside the mind of its adversary.

Despite this knowledge, Biden’s frustration only grew as the situation escalated. In December 2021, Biden confronted Putin during a video call described as “hot” and increasingly tense. As Biden pressed Putin on his plans, the conversation reached a boiling point, with Putin even threatening nuclear war.

Six months into the war, intelligence reports indicated that Putin’s growing desperation was leading him to consider the use of tactical nuclear weapons.

This information left U.S. officials deeply concerned about the possibility of an unprecedented escalation. It also left Biden grappling with the fallout of decisions made nearly a decade earlier—decisions that, in his view, gave Putin the confidence to act so aggressively.

Key Takeaways:

• Biden blames Obama for the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, citing weak foreign policy decisions made in 2014 as a key reason for Putin’s aggression.
• Biden’s remarks show deep frustration with Obama’s handling of Russia, marking a significant crack in the once-praised partnership between the two.
• U.S. intelligence provided early warnings about Putin’s plans, and Biden’s heated confrontation with Putin shows how serious the situation had become, even with threats of nuclear war hanging in the balance.

Source: Daily Wire