As Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, US President Joe Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal.”
“I think he’s a war criminal.”, He told reporters after addressing the nation at the White House. Initially, Biden denied it, but immediately asked reporters to clarify what was being asked. When asked again, the US president replied that he considered Putin a war criminal.
The sentence reflects a shift from the previous US government’s position on stopping incidents in Ukraine from being classified as war crimes.
“President’s comments speak for themselves”Secretary of State Jen Zaki later explained that Biden had “spoken from the heart” and that the US State Department was investigating. [equivalente ao Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros] War crimes were still going on.
Earlier, Biden had announced that he would send more anti-aircraft weapons and drones to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia, as well as an additional $ 800 million (72 727.7 million) in military aid.
“The world is united in our support and commitment to Ukraine [o Presidente russo, Vladimir] Putin is paying a high price. “Biden announced his overwhelming support for Ukraine and asked Ukrainian Representative Volodymyr Zhelensky not to fly over Ukraine and air defense systems.
“We will provide Ukraine with weapons to fight and defend in all the coming difficult days.”Biden added.
In practice, the aid will take the form of transferring equipment directly from the US Department of Defense to the Ukrainian military to help defend their country against “unprovoked and unwanted invasion by Russia.”
The military aid package announced today includes 800 stinger anti-aircraft systems, 6,000 anti-aircraft systems, 100 grenades, 20 million small arms and mortar shells, 400 rifles and 100 tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (‘drones’). .
According to the White House, the $ 800 million announced today brought US aid to Ukraine last week to $ 1 billion (€ 910 million), a total of $ 2 billion (€ 1,800) million since its inception. Biden government.
“It may be a long and difficult war, but the American people will stand firm in the face of Putin’s immoral and unethical attacks on civilians,” said US President Joe Biden.
Although Biden responded to Gelensky’s calls for further assistance, he allowed the Ukrainian military to equip itself with more efficient equipment, which was far less than what his Ukrainian envoy had actually called for: non-flying aircraft or fighter jets.
In a live video conference broadcast, Zelensky addressed the United States Congress this morning and compared the attacks on the Pearl Harbor and New York on September 11, 2001, to compare the horrors experienced by the Ukrainian people.
“We need you now,” he pleaded, “Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people.”
Zhelensky called for the imposition of new sanctions on Moscow and Russian politicians “every week until the Russian military is shut down, and for all American companies to leave the Russian market.”