US Department of Defense Spokesperson Gets Emotional During Briefing on 'Putin's Atrocities'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, reportedly choked up while explaining the tragedy caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, according to CNN on the 29th (local time).

During a briefing that day, when asked, "Does the U.S. Department of Defense consider President Putin to be acting rationally?" Kirby appeared emotionally overwhelmed and was unable to continue speaking properly for about 10 seconds before saying, "I'm sorry."

He then added, "It is hard to imagine a thoughtful, serious, and mature leader behaving in such a way," and "I cannot speak to President Putin’s psychology, but I believe we can all speak about his atrocities."

He went on to dismiss the so-called "denazification" justification that President Putin used for the invasion of Ukraine as "all nonsense." He cited examples of atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, explaining, "There are civilians shot in the back of the head with their hands tied behind their backs, murdered women and pregnant women, and hospitals that have been bombed."

Afterward, he apologized for including his personal opinion in the explanation and said he would no longer comment on how the U.S. government views President Putin’s condition.

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