Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended President Joe Biden on Tuesday after he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was committing “genocide” in Ukraine.
Zelensky shared the words in a Twitter post following Biden’s Tuesday speech.
“True words of a true leader @POTUS. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities,” Zelensky wrote.
True words of a true leader @POTUS. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 12, 2022
“I’m doing everything within my power by executive orders to bring down the price and address the Putin price hike,” Biden said during his Tuesday speech.
“Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away,” he added.
For the first time, President Biden called #Russia’s atrocities in #Ukraine genocide.
“Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away,” he said.#RussianWarCrimes pic.twitter.com/I7HJqoVM5v
— Stratcom Centre UA (@StratcomCentre) April 13, 2022
Biden also confirmed the reference to Russia’s genocide of Ukrainians to reporters following his speech.
“Yes, I called it genocide … Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be Ukrainian.”
Biden: “Yes, I called it genocide … Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be Ukrainian.”
Zelensky: “True words of a true leader. Calling things by their names is essential to standing up to evil.”https://t.co/nFDX4fVS5r pic.twitter.com/MX9TyJZMLq— Cliff Levy (@cliffordlevy) April 13, 2022
Biden’s words have continued to escalate regarding Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. On April 4, Biden called for Putin to be tried for war crimes following reports of civilian killings in Bucha, Ukraine. The Daily Wire reported:
“One comment to make before I start the day,” Biden told reporters. “You may remember I got criticized for calling Putin a war criminal. Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha. This warrants — he is a war criminal. But we have to gather the information. We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue to fight, and we have to gather all the details so this can be an actual, have a war crime trial.”
“This guy is brutal, and what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone’s seen it,” Biden continued, before saying that he will be seeking further sanctions in response.
On April 2, Zelensky said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that Russia had committed genocide in Ukraine.
“Indeed, this is genocide,” he confirmed in response to the tragic deaths in Bucha outside of the capital of Kyiv.
“Is this genocide?” @margbrennan asks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Indeed. This is genocide,” Zelenskyy says, adding that Ukraine is being “destroyed and exterminated” by Russian forces.
Tune in at 10:30a E.T. to hear more. pic.twitter.com/VyI246euAH
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) April 3, 2022
In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron has refused to call Russia’s actions against Ukraine a genocide as of Tuesday.
“I would be careful with such terms today because these two peoples [Russians and Ukrainians] are brothers,” Macron said.
“I want to continue to try, as much as I can, to stop this war and rebuild peace. I am not sure that an escalation of rhetoric serves that cause,” he added. “What we can say for sure is that the situation is unacceptable and that these are war crimes. We are living through war crimes that are unprecedented on our soil — our European soil.”