Joe Biden

Biden Denounces Putin as a ‘War Criminal'

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After delivering remarks at the White House on Wednesday, President Joe Biden was asked by reporters if he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal as the atrocities in Ukraine mount and the president there begged the U.S. Congress for more help.

“He’s a war criminal,” the president said of Putin as he left an unrelated event. It’s the sharpest condemnation yet of Putin and Russian actions by a U.S. official since the invasion of Ukraine.

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While other world leaders have used the words, the White House had been hesitant to declare Putin’s actions those of a war criminal, saying it was a legal term that required research.

But in a speech Wednesday, Biden said Russian troops had bombed hospitals and held doctors hostage. He pledged more aid to help Ukraine fight Russia.

Zelenskyy Appeals to Congress for More U.S. Help: ‘We Need You Right Now'
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an emotional appeal to Congress for more aid as his country fights off Russia’s invasion.

This is a live update. Click here for complete coverage of the crisis in Ukraine.

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