Biden: Russia war is genocide, trying to ‘wipe out’ Ukraine

By WILL WEISSERT and ZEKE MILLER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says Russia’s war in Ukraine amounts to genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to “wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.” Speaking Tuesday in Iowa shortly before returning to Washington, Biden said he meant it when he said at an earlier event that Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine. He told reporters “it’s become clearer and clearer.” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy praised Biden’s comments. France’s president declined to take his rhetoric that far in comments Wednesday. Biden called Zelenskyy on Wednesday and the pair spoke for nearly an hour. Biden then announced that he was authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance to Ukraine.