President Biden Calls Putin a War Criminal
In a rare moment of blunt politics, President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a war criminal” for attacking Ukraine. The remark came after an exchange with a reporter at the White House—initially a playful “no,” then a decisive “Oh I think he is a war criminal.”
What This Means
- First time Biden has publicly used that label.
- Vice President Kamala Harris already urged Russia to face war‑crime investigations during her trip to Poland.
- White House press secretary Jen Psaki clarified that judgment will be decided in a separate legal process, currently underway at the State Department.
New U.S. Aid for Ukraine
Biden announced an additional US$800 million (≈ S$1.09 billion) in security assistance, specifically aimed at buying weapons to bring down Russian planes and tanks. The package is part of a broader $13.6 billion aid bill he signed into law.
What’s Coming to Ukraine?
- 800 anti‑aircraft systems to stop Russian flight attacks.
- 9 000 anti‑armor systems plus drones.
- 7 000 small arms (machine guns, shotguns, grenade launchers) for civilians who are fighting back.
- More gear in the pipeline—additional stocks of equipment are on the way.
“This new package on its own is going to provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine,” Biden said, emphasizing that they will keep supplying weapons, humanitarian aid, and economic support.
Zelenskyy’s Plea to Congress
At President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request, Washington pledged to help Ukraine acquire long‑range missile‑anti‑aircraft systems. Zelenskyy compared the current attacks to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor—a jolt that pulled the U.S. into World War II—and called on lawmakers to create a no‑fly zone over Ukraine to protect civilians.
“This is terror Europe hasn’t seen in 80 years,” Zelenskyy said. “We ask for our life, for a response from the whole world. Is this too much to ask? To create a no‑fly zone over Ukraine to save people?”
“If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative,” he added. “You know the kind of defense systems we need. The U.S. has them, after all.”
<img alt="" data-caption="US President Joe Biden is flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley as he speaks about assistance the US government is providing to Ukraine amid Russia's invasion of the neighboring country, before signing an executive order on the aide in the Eisenhower Office Building's South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, US and March 16, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”edb0311a-311a-458d-b294-d61588d53c80″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/17322_bidengroup_reuters.jpg”/>
U.S. Takes a Hard Look at the Ukraine Crisis—And It Feels Like a Three‑Star Movie
Everything’s beefing up, and the Pentagon’s pulling a “No‑Jets” card
President Biden has tossed the phrase “World War Three” into the conversation whenever the idea of a no‑fly zone over Ukraine pops up. He’s also riled up the White House, which has asked the Pentagon to back away from sending fighter jets into the fray.
Russia & Ukraine—Finally Trying to Talk
Just a few days back, both sides dug up a new angle for compromise. Peace talks are lining up, scheduled to kick off three weeks into what Russia has declared a “special military operation.” The goal? To dismantle what the Russians call a “denazification” of their neighbour—though for Ukrainians, it’s a survival story that hasn’t yet toppled their government.
White House’s Trip to Brussels — Euromystery
Biden’s set to jet off to Brussels on March 24 for a NATO summit. The meeting’s focus? Russia’s aggression. Europe’s leaders want to tackle the fallout from the invasion, while the U.S. is keen on keeping its global influence in check.
Sanctions Storm
- • Biden has stepped up sanctions against Russia in the past few days.
- • He has moved to pull Russia from the League of Nations trading status that gives its exports lower tariffs, effectively putting them out of the market.
- • A fresh ban on Russian oil and other energy imports is now in place, trying to clamp down on the economy.
What It Means for Ukraine & The World
US actions are putting the pressure point in two main places: financial and safety. The sanctions aim to hurt Russia’s economy, while the lack of fighter jets keeps Ukraine’s skies open—at least for now. Meanwhile, a 90% chance pounds tourism does not exist that massive portion of Ukraine’s population could hit deep poverty amid a prolonged war.
