US President Joe Biden has said, for the first time, that “dictator” Vladimir Putin is carrying out genocide in Ukraine.
Speaking on domestic energy needs at an ethanol plant in Iowa, Biden said “your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank – none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away”.
Speaking to reporters in Iowa, as he prepared to board Air Force One, Biden stood by his remarks.
“Yes, I called it genocide. It has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being — being able to be Ukrainian,” Biden said.
“The — more evidence is coming out of the — literally, the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine.”
“And we’ll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me.”
The White House later sent out a transcript of his comments.
BBC