Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to wage war against Ukraine, resulting in worldwide condemnation and sanctions. US President Joe Biden has now accused Putin of committing genocide in Ukraine, stressing that it was not a gaffe.
Biden accused his Russian counterpart of committing genocide in Ukraine, Tuesday, leading many to wonder whether it was a gaffe on the US leader’s part. Biden explained later on, according to CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, that it was no gaffe and that he meant it.
“It’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being a Ukrainian,” said Biden. “And the evidence is mounting…We’ll let the lawyers decide internationally if it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me.”
The latest comments are a step up from the accusations Biden has previously made of the Russian leader. Back in March, Biden accused Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine with his war that is now moving into its second month in a few weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Biden’s accusation of Putin shortly after.
“True words of a true leader @POTUS. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities,” tweeted Zelenskyy.
Previously, Biden’s sister, Valerie Biden Owens, spoke about the ongoing attacks made by Biden’s immediate predecessor Donald Trump on him and their family. Biden Owens helped the US leader raise his two sons after his first wife and daughter were killed in a car crash and has helped her brother on all his campaigns. In her interview with CBS News, in line with her memoir, “Growing Up Biden,” Biden Owens said she anticipated and was not surprised that Trump would try and smear her brother and their family.
“Because I expected, and was not disappointed, that it would be ugly and mean, and it would be an attack on my brother Joe, personally and professionally, because the former president is very intent in bringing my brother down,” said Biden Owens, who also touched on Trump and the GOP’s constant target, her nephew and Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
“There hasn’t been a there, there, since it was mentioned in 2019 or whenever it was,” said Biden Owens.