The Kremlin said Biden’s comment was “inappropriate” and further complicated U.S.-Russia relations.
27.3. 13:28 • Updated March 27 14:24
U.S. leadership statements on Russia sharpened again in the article on Saturday.
President Joe Biden spoke in his speech in Poland about the President of Russia Vladimir from Putin in a way that sounded like a demand for a change of power in Russia. Earlier that day, in a comment to reporters, Biden called Putin a “butcher.”
New water for the Kremlin mill?
As expected, Biden’s speech was knocked out in Russia, but was also criticized in Biden’s home country. Former diplomat, director of the Council on Foreign Relations incubator Richard N. Haass wrote on Twitter (switching to another service)that the utterance made the situation even more difficult and dangerous. According to Haass, Putin is likely to interpret Biden’s words to confirm his own doubts.
There were many along the same lines Experts Cited by USA Today (Switch to Another Service). Researcher specializing in transatlantic relations Garret Martin American University speculates that the Kremlin may take advantage of Biden’s statements in its own propaganda and argues that the United States is not really seeking to help Ukraine.
Director of GMF, an incubator promoting cooperation between the United States and Europe Heather Conley in turn, estimates that bilateral talks between Biden and Putin will be nearly impossible.
Words of warning were also heard from at least one allied country. The President of France Emmanuel Macron stated on Sunday that the main goals in Ukraine were a ceasefire through diplomatic means and then the complete withdrawal of Russian troops.
“If we want to get here, we can’t speed things up in words or deeds,” Macron told French television, according to AFP.
What did Biden say?
President Joe Biden visited Poland on Saturday. He met with Ukrainian foreign and defense ministers in the Polish capital, Warsaw, and in the evening Biden gave a speech in front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw.
Biden began his speech by quoting a former Polish pope John Paul II saying “Don’t be afraid.” The Catholic Biden himself recalled that the pope had brought the same message to communist Poland in the late 1970s.
Later in his speech, Biden recalled how Putin had assured just over a month ago that Russia would not invade Ukraine. He also warned again that Russia should not try to compare it to NATO.
Biden also directed his message to ordinary Russians, saying these are not enemies of the United States. At the end of the speech, a statement referring to Putin in the headlines was heard:
– For God’s sake, this man can’t continue in power.
The White House and the Secretary of State softened the statement
Immediately after the speech on the White House, Biden’s comment was clarified. According to the president’s assistants, Biden’s comment did not mean that the United States would demand a change of power in Russia.
– The president meant that Putin could not be allowed to exercise power in neighboring countries or neighborhoods. He did not talk about Putin’s power in Russia or the change of power, the White House explained to Reuters.
Also the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was allowed to explain Biden’s words on Sunday. Visiting Israel, Blinken said Biden meant “Putin cannot be allowed to go to war or take aggressive action against Ukraine or anyone else.”
According to Blinken, the United States is not seeking to change the state leadership “in Russia or anywhere else,” but it is up to the people in that country.
Russia warns that relations will become even more difficult
Biden’s speech was quickly knocked out of Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that “neither the President of the United States nor the United States will decide who will rule Russia.” According to Peskov, the U.S. president’s comment was “inappropriate.”
“Any such statement narrows the scope for bilateral relations with the current administration,” Peskov said.
The news has been updated at 2.23 pm with comments from the French president.
You can discuss the topic until Monday 28.3. until 11 p.m.