U.S. commentators react to Obama’s choice of words on Ukraine

U.S. President Barack Obama in his State of the Union Address to the Senate the House of Representatives chose ambiguous words relating to Ukraine.

While speaking about threats faced by the U.S. and the world Obama mentioned Russia and its acts in Ukraine.

He said that "even as their economy severely contracts, Russia is pouring resources in to prop up Ukraine and Syria - client states they saw slipping away from their orbit".

For English speakers and experts on foreign relations this phrase became a puzzle, Voice of America writes.

Below are some of the twits on the issue.

#Ukraine Flub will not shock anyone who's endured #SOTU clearance process at WH. Covering US foreign policy in 4-5 paras is no picnic @tufkaa

- Andrew S. Weiss (andrewsweiss) 13 January 2016

Maybe this is why Obama vetoed prominent Cabinet support - Kerry, Biden, Carter, etc. - For helping arm Ukraine.

- Casey Michel (cjcmichel) January 13, 2016

Calling our friend and ally #Ukraine a Russian "client state" shows an alarming lack of understanding of geopolitical realities. #LastSOTU

- Peter Roskam (PeterRoskam) January 13, 2016

#Ukraine Is our ally, not a "client state" of Russia, Mr. President. #LastSOTU

- Peter Roskam (PeterRoskam) January 13, 2016

Ukraine is a Russian client state?

- Jamie Kirchick (jkirchick) January 13, 2016

In #SOTU, Obama says "#Russia is pouring resources in to prop up #Ukraine." Misspoke? B / c Moscow is def trying to destabilize Ukraine.

- Christopher Miller (ChristopherJM) January 13, 2016

I do not think #Ukraine will like being called a client state of #Russia #SOTU

- Jim Goldgeier (JimGoldgeier) January 13, 2016

POTUS: #Russia "is pouring resources in to prop up #Ukraine." Odd line. More like Moscow pouring resources in to destabilize Ukraine. #SOTU

- Steven Pifer (steven_pifer) January 13, 2016