The White House said President Biden was “speaking from the heart” about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “barbaric actions” when he called Putin a “war criminal.”
A legal review is underway at the State Department for review Shares of Russia in Ukraine and whether they constitute war crimes.
Putin’s spokesman described the comment as “unacceptable and unforgivable.”
Mr Biden’s comment came just hours after he announced an additional $ 800 million in military assistance going directly from the United States to Ukraine, including 9,000 shoulder-mounted javelin missiles, 800 fist anti-aircraft systems and more. 20 million rounds of ammunition.
It is also supplying Ukraine with 7,000 grenade launchers, plus special anti-tank guns and drones known as “switchblades”.
“I don’t know what a shovel drone is, but it looks like it should go to Ukraine,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham.
But all this help still does not meet the main requests of Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy.
In an emotional call to Congress, Zelenskyy called on the United States to help impose a no-fly zone over his country.
“We are a superpower and Zelenskyy has challenged us to act like this,” said Senator Ben Sasse.
But a no-fly zone is something that neither the White House nor most of the Congress support for fear of attracting U.S. and NATO pilots to the conflict.
Alternatively, Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to help him secure more MIG-29 fighter jets.
Behind the scenes, U.S. officials are working to get Russian-made Zelenskyy long-range S-300 surface-to-air missiles.
Eastern European countries such as Slovakia and Bulgaria have these missiles, and Vice President Kamala Harris has been in contact with the Slovak president, although the White House will not say whether they have talked about the S-300. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to Slovakia and Bulgaria this week.
- In:
- Ukraine
- Russia
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