Joe Biden should shut up, said Russia's Pravda. After President Obama's "remarkable visit" raised hopes for better relations between Washington and Moscow, the American vice president "spoils it all" by suggesting to The Wall Street Journal that Russia is a declining power, so the U.S. shouldn't make any compromises with it. What a "shocking display of insolence and ignorance."
Poor Joe Biden "was just calling it as he sees it on Russia," said the Los Angeles Times in an editorial. But insulting Russia—by pointing to its dwindling population, "withering economy," and doomed banking system—was "immensely counterproductive" for an administration trying to improve relations frayed during the Bush years. President Obama chose Biden for his foreign policy expertise—but "this can't be what the president had in mind."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion banSpeed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling BiblesSpeed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitnessIn Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
