Biden Calls It "Genocide" but Putin Still Clings to Territorial Division Ambitions (Comprehensive)

Mass Atrocities, Crimes Punishable Under International Law
US Strengthens Response to Russia and Military Support for Ukraine
Putin Emphasizes "Donbas, Crimean Peninsula"...Concerns Over Prolonged Conflict

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunwoo Lee and Hyunui Cho] U.S. President Joe Biden officially designated Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "genocide," raising expectations that the international community will strengthen sanctions against Russia and increase military support for Ukraine. Genocide has been defined as a crime under international law since World War II, and many countries are parties to the "Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG)," which includes punitive provisions. This is expected to put significant diplomatic pressure on countries that have been reluctant to join sanctions against Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also reiterated the division issues of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region and the Crimean Peninsula, making it unlikely that a breakthrough through peace negotiations will be achieved. Both the U.S. and Russia have strongly expressed their determination to continue their hardline standoff, raising concerns that the war in Ukraine will be prolonged.

◆Expansion of Military Support Expected Following 'Genocide' Designation

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Genocide is a serious crime under the "Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG)," adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1951. The CPPCG has 132 member countries worldwide, and it mandates punishment for perpetrators of genocide regardless of their rank or status, whether in peacetime or wartime.

Politico pointed out that if Russia's invasion of Ukraine is officially designated as genocide not only by the U.S. but also by the United Nations and the international community, countries that are parties to the CPPCG, as well as those that have not actively participated in sanctions against Russia, could face diplomatic pressure.

However, within the U.S. administration, no final decision has been made yet on whether to officially designate Russia's invasion of Ukraine as genocide. Politico reported, "Key officials, including White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are hesitant to use the term genocide," noting that "the genocide designation could expand the U.S.'s legal responsibility under international law to hold Russia accountable and increase U.S. involvement."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

U.S. military support for Ukraine is expected to be further strengthened. Major foreign media, citing a knowledgeable senior U.S. official on military aid, reported, "The Biden administration is set to announce an additional $750 million (approximately 924 billion KRW) in military assistance to Ukraine soon," adding, "This additional support will be provided under the 'Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA),' which allows the president to transfer defense articles in emergencies without congressional approval."

Additionally, the Biden administration announced plans to discuss ways to enhance support for Ukraine with major U.S. defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin. At a briefing, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks explained, "On the 13th, we will hold a closed meeting with representatives from eight defense companies, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, to discuss ways to strengthen air defense systems, anti-ship missiles, and weapons support for Ukraine."

◆Putin: "We Will Continue Military Operations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During a summit with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, President Putin stated, "Issues concerning the Donbas region, the Crimean Peninsula, and Sevastopol are not included in the scope of peace negotiations," adding, "Our security demands have not yet been resolved." This statement is interpreted as Russia's intention to continue the war if its territorial division demands for occupied areas are not accepted.

In fact, Russian forces are reportedly intensifying their offensives in southern cities around the Black Sea, focusing on the Donbas region and Mariupol. Earlier, Ukrainian forces claimed that Russian troops surrounding Mariupol have been dropping toxic substances on civilians using drones to break their will to resist.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized in a national address, "Considering that Russian forces have previously used white phosphorus in Ukraine, the world must respond preventively."

The U.S. government also hinted at the possibility of Russian chemical weapons use. Secretary of State Blinken stated, "We have credible information that Russian forces may have used various riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents that cause severe symptoms."

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