Biden Describes The War in Ukraine as 'Genocide'

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday described the atrocities in Ukraine as "genocide" for the first time since the beginning of Russia's war, adding "we'll let the lawyers decide internationally (if) it qualifies," TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Biden first used the word during a speech at a domestic policy event in Iowa about the use of ethanol in petrol. “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 said.

Questioned later, Biden told reporters: Yes, I called it genocide. It has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being - being able to be Ukrainian. And the amount - the evidence is mounting. It’s different than it was last week.

"The - more evidence is coming out of the - literally, the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine. And we’re going to only learn more and more about the devastation. And we’ll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me,” he added.

The move came as worries were growing in Washington DC on Tuesday after Ukrainian officials accused Russia of using chemical weapons in the city of Mariupol.

The use of chemical weapons is something that the Biden administration and NATO have indicated would lead to a response, but neither the alliance nor the administration have specific what that response would look like.

Speaking before reports at the State Department Tuesday afternoon, secretary Antony Blinken said the US is "not in the position to confirm anything. I don’t think the Ukrainians are either"

However, he added, "we had credible information that Russian forces may use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, so that would cause stronger symptoms to weaken and incapacitate entrenched Ukrainian fighters and civilians as part of the aggressive campaign to take Mariupol."

Blinken added that the use of chemical weapons is of “a real concern” and U.S. officials are aware of the possibility that chemical weapons may be used.

Back at the Pentagon, officials say they are "still evaluating" reports about the use of chemical agents at this time.

In the meantime, the defense officials assess that Ukrainians "are still contesting the strategic city of Mariupol". Russian forces have surrounded the city on the Sea of Azov, but Ukrainian military personnel are still fighting the invaders, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said. 

Russian forces have heavily shelled the Ukrainian city, and news footage from Mariupol shows an area devastated by aerial and artillery fire. "But our assessment is that the Ukrainians are still fighting for it," he said. 

The city is in a strategic location just south of the Donbas area of Ukraine and has an excellent port on the Sea of Azov — an arm of the Black Sea. Mariupol would provide the Russians "unfettered and unhindered land access between the Donbas and Crimea," Kirby said.

The Russians say the region is Russian, but the area "also has great significance to the Ukrainian people," Kirby said. Mariupol is a key to Ukraine's economic life. 

"It is their city, and it's part of their country, and they haven't given up on it. And we're not giving up on them, either," Kirby said.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.