The process of investigating the genocide in Ukraine will take several years – the White House
The fact that Biden called the situation in Ukraine genocide will not change politics and should not confuse world leaders.
The White House said that the statement of US President Biden that genocide is taking place in Ukraine will not change US policy and should not mislead other world leaders.
– Biden made this statement to draw the attention of observers to the destroyed cities of Ukraine, and he spoke about what we all see, what he feels – about the atrocities taking place in Ukraine, – said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Psaki said that the legal process of determining the fact of genocide will continue. But she stressed that Biden expressed his views as the president of the United States, not just a personal position.
– He’s the president, and we’re here to put his views into action, – she said.
Psaki also added that Biden, as US president and leader of the free world, can express his views at any time.
Psaki said other world leaders should not be embarrassed by Biden’s statements, which often precede official US statements – first about war crimes and now about genocide.
– I don’t think anyone is confused by the atrocities we see in Ukraine, – she said.
Psaki added that President Putin is currently brutally attacking civilians and treating Ukraine.
She said even official recognition of the genocide would not necessarily change US policy.
– It will not change the policy. International efforts would be made to study this issue and investigate it at the international level. It often takes many years, – said Psaki.
In turn, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said that the United States is likely to eventually determine that genocide was committed in Ukraine.
Nuland noted that US President Joe Biden spoke from the bottom of his heart when he called what was happening in Ukraine a genocide by Russia and its forces.
Nuland said there was a long process in the United States to gather evidence to make a formal government definition of genocide.
– But I’m going to predict that President Biden’s statement on genocide will eventually be recognized after the evidence is gathered. What is happening on the ground in Ukraine is not a coincidence. This is a deliberate decision by Russia to destroy Ukraine and its civilian population on its own, – Nuland said.
Asked why the sanctions did not have a deterrent effect on the Russian president, Nuland said that Putin did not care about his people and his country, he only cared about his own imperial ambitions.
– He does not see that his actions are not only turning Ukraine into ruins, but also turning Russia into a prison, – she said.
