Jen Psaki on Monday defended President Joe Biden's actions against Russia after Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich grilled the White House press secretary after one of her colleagues was injured in the Ukraine.
The Daily Mail reports Fox News producers and correspondents on Monday reported that Benjamin Hall, who has been covering the war outside Kyiv amid an intensifying assault by Russian forces, was injured.
'The president said back in February that the US would respond forcefully if Americans would target in Ukraine,' Heinrich said. 'One of my colleagues was injured today. We're still waiting to hear if he's okay. So what is that response going to be. Psaki pointed out the economic sanctions Biden and U.S. allies have put on Russia, along with all the aid the United States has given the Ukraine.
''I think you have seen the president lead the world and taking, putting in place consequences,' she said. 'In terms of next steps, or what the next consequence would be. I don't have anything to preview for you at this point in time.'
And Psaki refused to answer when Heinrich asked her what would be Biden's 'red line' for more action.
Biden vowed, in mid-February to respond 'forcefully' if Americans in the Ukraine were targeted. This was before Vladimir Putin invaded the Ukraine.
'We are not seeking direct confrontation with Russia though I've been clear if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully,' Biden said at the time.
Psaki said the administration was keeping Hall in its thoughts.
'Your colleague, Benjamin Hall, I know there's not final reports yet or we would wait for your news organization to confirm those but our thoughts, the President's thoughts, our administration thoughts are with him, his family and all of you at Fox News as well,' Psaki said.
Throughout her press briefing on Monday, Psaki refused to offer what any 'red line' would be for a stronger U.S. response, including if Putin used chemical weapons in Ukraine. The White House has consistently refused to list any specific Russian action that would trigger an accelerated response.
'We don't like red lines around here so I'm not going to use that phrasing,' Psaki said.
She noted the administration was trying not to escalate the conflict.
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