For the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, US President Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a war criminal on Wednesday afternoon.
Biden first answered “no” to a question if Putin was a war criminal as he was leaving for an event at the White House in Washington. A little later he returned to the journalist to hear the question again. Then he said:
– I think he’s a war criminal.
A Kremlin spokesperson called Biden’s remarks “unacceptable and unforgivable rhetoric,” the Russian news agency TASS wrote.
Earlier, both Biden and other spokespersons referred to the ongoing investigation into the war in Ukraine when it came to whether or not Putin committed war crimes, according to CNN.
He orders Russia to stop the war
Wednesday earlier The United Nations Supreme Court ordered (ICJ) Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. The ruling of the Hague Tribunal is the first statement issued by an international court after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
– The Hague court said that Russia will immediately stop the military operations that began on February 24 in Ukraine.
They also stated that Russia should ensure that other forces under its control or supported by Moscow stop their military operations.
Ukraine referred Russia to court over allegations of violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention and demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Ukraine also asked the court to rule that there was no legal basis for the invasion.
Russia boycotted the court hearing on March 7. The ICJ ruling is binding, but the court has no authority to ensure that any orders are actually carried out.
billion dollars in aid
On Wednesday, Biden presented a new package of $800 million in military aid to Ukraine. The money comes in addition to the 200 million sent over the weekend.
In total, the United States provided $1 billion in aid to Ukraine.
The United States will also provide Ukraine with new advanced weapons, such as drones and anti-tank weapons. The president also mentioned anti-aircraft guns with a longer range than the United States had previously provided.
Russia was said to have bombed a theater where civilians were staying in Mariupol on Wednesday:
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