Biden on Putin's Controversial Remarks: "Expressed Moral Outrage... Will Not Retract"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden drew a clear line regarding recent remarks targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that "he should not remain in power," describing them as an expression of "moral outrage."

He reiterated that the comments did not indicate a shift in the U.S. administration's policy stance. However, President Biden firmly stated that he would not retract his remarks.

According to AP News and others, on the 28th (local time), after delivering a speech at the White House regarding the fiscal year 2023 budget, President Biden told reporters, "I was expressing the moral outrage I feel toward that person (President Putin)" and clarified, "I was not signaling a policy change."

Earlier, on the 16th during his final stop in Europe in Poland, a country bordering Ukraine, President Biden targeted President Putin by saying, "this man cannot remain in power." Immediately, this statement was interpreted as suggesting a shift in the U.S. administration's stance toward regime change in Russia, causing ripples not only in Russia but also among European allies. The impact spread widely within these circles.

On this day, President Biden remarked, "I was simply stating the plain fact that such behavior is completely unacceptable." He also said, "I will not retract that statement. I will not apologize." The day after his return, when asked by the press whether he was calling for regime change in Russia, President Biden flatly denied it.

He explained that his remarks expressed an 'aspiration' rather than a U.S. foreign policy objective, saying, "People like that should not rule a country. But they do." He added, "The fact that they do does not mean I cannot express outrage about it."

Regarding concerns that his spontaneous remarks might escalate tensions in Ukraine, President Biden countered, "I do not see it that way."

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