President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” Wednesday for invading Ukraine.
Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden “if after everything we’ve seen, are you ready to call Putin a war criminal?”
Biden initially walked away, but then turned around and, after clarifying the question, said “he is a war criminal.” (RELATED: What Happens If Putin Nukes Ukraine?)
🚨This marks the first time the administration has referred to the Russian President as a war criminal – until now, officials have shied away from that language.
POTUS tells me “I think he is a war criminal”
(Thanks to @kwelkernbc for the camera work 🎥) pic.twitter.com/u4fLdkxMbt
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) March 16, 2022
Congress voted unanimously Tuesday to condemn Putin as a war criminal.
Zelenskyy spoke Wednesday in front of Congress during a digital press conference, pleading for the U.S. to establish a no-fly zone, levy more sanctions on Russia and send surface-to-air missile systems.
The Ukrainian president then appeared on NBC News and said “Nobody knows whether [World War III] may have already started.”
Biden had previously called Putin a “killer” in March of 2021.