Biden Hints at Regime Change in Russia... Russia Responds "Not Your Decision"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] U.S. President Joe Biden said on the 26th (local time) that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power."

While visiting Warsaw, Poland, President Biden made this statement during a speech condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to foreign media including AP and CNN.

Biden's remarks were interpreted as a de facto call for a regime change in Russia.

In response, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, rebutted, "That is not a matter for Mr. Biden to decide. It is solely the choice of the Russian Federation's people."

However, a White House official sought to clarify immediately after the speech that President Biden did not mention a regime change in Russia.

The official explained, "The point of President Biden's remarks was that President Putin cannot be allowed to exert power over neighboring countries or the region," adding, "He did not discuss Putin's power or regime change within Russia."

President Biden stated, "There is no doubt that this war is already a strategic failure for Russia," and said that only swift and harsh consequences can change Russia's course.

He particularly warned President Putin, saying, "Do not even think about moving an inch into NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) territory."

However, he reiterated that "U.S. troops are in Europe not to clash with Russian forces but to defend NATO allies," indicating no intention to intervene militarily within Ukraine.

President Biden went on to accuse Russia of suppressing democracy and criticized President Putin for justifying the war with lies.

He said, "Over the past 30 years, authoritarian forces have been revived worldwide. They are characterized by disregard for the rule of law, democratic freedoms, and truth," adding, "Today, Russia suppresses democracy not only in its own country but also attempts to do so elsewhere. Under the false claim of ethnic solidarity, it is incapacitating neighboring countries."

He also criticized, "Putin shamelessly claims to be 'denazifying' Ukraine, which is a lie. He knows it well," and added, "Volodymyr Zelensky, the democratically elected president of Ukraine, is Jewish, and his paternal family was wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust. Putin is shameless like all previous dictators."

President Biden called President Putin a "criminal" and emphasized, "He wants to portray NATO expansion as an imperialist project to destabilize Russia, but that is not true at all," stressing, "NATO is a defensive alliance and has never sought the demise of Russia."

Addressing the Russian people, he said, "You are not our enemies," and added, "I do not believe you accept the deaths of innocent children and grandparents, nor the hospitals, schools, and maternity wards hit by Russian missiles and bombs."

He pointed out, "This is not a memory of the past. This is exactly what Russian forces are doing right now in Ukraine."

President Biden referred to the message "Do not be afraid" sent by Pope John Paul II, who was from Poland, to the Soviet Union in 1979, saying, "This fight will not be won in days or months. We need to steel ourselves for a long struggle ahead."

He expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, saying, "We stand with you."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.