US cautious on Russian rebellion to avoid creating an opening for Putin

President Joe Biden told reporters the US and Nato was not involved in the short-lived Wagner military coup (Andrew Harnik, AP)

President Joe Biden has insisted neither the United States nor Nato played any role in the turmoil in Russia.

A powerful mercenary group engaging in a short-lived clash with Russia’s military at the moment Ukraine is trying to gain momentum would seem like something for the US to embrace, but the public response by Washington has been decidedly cautious.