Biden calls Russia’s war in Ukraine a ‘genocide’

DES MOINES — President Biden declared Tuesday that Russia was committing a “genocide” in Ukraine, a significant escalation of the president’s rhetoric and a notable shift that comes as U.S. officials have avoided using the term.

The comment initially came at an event in Menlo, Iowa, where Biden was decrying the effects of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on gas and food prices. “Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away,” Biden said.

He later told reporters he had intentionally used the word genocide in his speech, though he added that he would “let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies.”

But he said, “It sure seems that way to me."
Genocide is generally defined as an effort to destroy an entire nation or group.
 
“It’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is trying to wipe out the idea of being Ukrainian," Biden said. "The evidence is mounting. It looks different than last week. More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine.”