Russia attacks Ukraine: Biden calls Putin ‘war criminal’

President Joe Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Biden made the comment hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed U.S. lawmakers and Biden signed a bill giving Ukraine $800 million in military and humanitarian aid.

Other world leaders have called Putin a “war criminal” but this is the first time Biden has said it. The White House had previously said that it was a legal term that needed research, The Associated Press reported.

Biden made the comment after an event at the White House Wednesday afternoon, Reuters reported.

C-Span reported the event was the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden was “speaking from the heart” when he made the comment, The Independent reported.

You can watch the video on YouTube or below.

Previous coverage:

• Zelenskyy speech: Read a transcript of the speech the Ukrainian president gave to Congress

• Photos: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Congress

• Russia attacks Ukraine: Mariupol theater used as shelter bombed

• Photos: Ukraine continues to fight back against Russia

• Zelenskyy addresses Congress: Ukraine president makes case for no-fly zone, sanctions

• Russia attacks Ukraine: UN court orders Russia to stop invasion

• Russia attacks Ukraine: Biden speaks after Zelenskyy addresses Congress

• Zelenskyy address: How many times have world leaders spoken before Congress?

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Congress; invokes 9/11, Pearl Harbor

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Day 20 People demonstrate in support of the Ukraine outside the United Nations' top court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, where judges where expected to rule on a request by Ukraine to order Russia to halt its devastating invasion. But it remains to be seen if Moscow would comply with any order made by the International Court of Justice. Russia snubbed a hearing last week at which lawyers for Ukraine accused the country's powerful neighbor of "resorting to tactics reminiscent of medieval siege warfare" in its brutal assault. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong/AP)