The President of the United States and Russia made heavy words "in the air"!

Shocking 'genocide' claims, 'keep fighting' vows spark speculation

　　[Global Times reporter Sui Xin and Xiao Daliuzhi have heavy responsibilities] "Biden labels Russia's actions in Ukraine as 'genocide'" "Putin says peace talks have reached a dead end"... As the war between Ukraine and East China is overcast, the United States Russian leaders made important statements respectively.

US President Biden used the word "genocide" for the first time on the 12th, and the accusation against Moscow was obviously "escalated".

Although a White House official quickly clarified that the United States' position not to directly intervene militarily in the Ukraine crisis remains unchanged, such remarks will undoubtedly exacerbate the rift between the two great powers.

At the same time, the US military aid to Ukraine is constantly increasing and breaking through the "restrictions", and Washington and London are still discussing speeding up the supply of weapons to Kyiv, all of which have made the outside world see the risk that the conflict may expand.

According to media reports, on the 13th, the Pentagon will receive the heads of the eight major US arms manufacturers to discuss the "long-term war plan" in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 12th that the special military operation in Ukraine is "the right step, there is no choice, the goal will be achieved".

These remarks once again showed Russia's tough stance, and further aroused speculation that Russia will launch the "Donbass Campaign" in the near future.

It is in this atmosphere that the presidents of Poland and the three Baltic countries visited Ukraine together on the 13th.

"Major upgrade"

　　On the 12th local time, Biden publicly accused Russia's actions in Ukraine as "genocide".

"Yes, I call it 'genocide'. It's becoming clear that Putin is even trying to wipe out any notion of being Ukrainian."

　　The US CNBC website said on the 13th that just hours before Biden said this, he shocked the world by calling Russia's actions in Ukraine "genocide" for the first time.

At an event on inflation in Iowa, Biden told the audience, "Your household budget, your ability to fill up your gas tank, shouldn't depend on a company declaring war and committing 'genocide' half a world away. The dictator." Biden also called the expensive U.S. oil prices "Putin's price surge."

　　A White House adviser quickly clarified on television that Biden's words did not imply a change in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, the report said.

Biden acknowledged that the legal definition of "genocide" differed from his impression of the current state of Ukraine, but he did not correct his assessment.

"We'll let lawyers decide in international (court) whether it qualifies (for genocide). But in my opinion, it does," Biden said.

　　Reuters commented that Biden's latest remarks were a "major escalation."

CNN believes that the new statement seems to be the latest example of Biden's sentimental views on the Russian-Ukrainian war ahead of the official US characterization.

Matthew Miller, an adviser to the U.S. National Security Council, told U.S. media that the U.S. is working with allies to investigate Russia’s war crimes, which is a “long process.”

　　According to a report by the Russian "Viewpoint" on the 13th, French President Macron did not follow Biden's statement. He said in an interview with French media: "I treat such words with caution, because these two ethnic groups (Russians and Ukrainians) Brothers." Macron also said that he was not sure whether the "escalation of rhetoric" would help normalize the situation in Ukraine.

　　Some analysts say that due to the strict legal definition of the word "genocide" and the heavy meaning of this accusation, the US has not used the word "genocide" before.

Last week, Biden was directly asked if he thought the "Bucca incident" was "genocide," when he said: "No, I think it's a war crime."

　　On the 13th, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that he "resolutely disagrees" with Biden's words, "We think this attempt to distort the situation is unacceptable, not to mention we have already said that this is a well-known behavior in modern and contemporary history. Not necessarily acceptable to the President of the United States."

　　The day before, Putin mentioned that there is a view that the United States is ready to fight Russia until only "the last Ukrainian" remains. "Some people say that there (in the United States), and we also say that. In fact, it is true." "Wall Street Journal" Putin also said that Ukrainian negotiators had deviated from the agreement reached in Istanbul and that the two sides were not moving towards a ceasefire.

"This is the first time Putin has made more comments on the war in Ukraine since last month, saying that peace talks have reached a dead end and promising that his forces will keep fighting until their mission is completed."

Military aid "overweight"

　　Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed gratitude for Biden's use of the word "genocide".

He also said, "We urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further atrocities by Russia."

　　According to US media reports, the Biden administration has approved the transfer of about $750 million in additional arms aid to Ukraine.

U.S. officials revealed that the funds followed the “Presidential Order to Use Funds” process, which bypasses congressional approval and calls reserve resources to respond to emergencies.

According to statistics, since Biden took office, the United States has provided Ukraine with 2.4 billion US dollars in military assistance, most of which were provided after the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that in the last month and a half, Washington provided Kyiv with weapons worth $1.65 billion.

　　On the 12th, Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Johnson. According to a statement issued by the British Prime Minister's Office, the two sides discussed the need to speed up aid to Ukraine, including military and economic support, as the Ukrainian army is preparing for another Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. .

Johnson outlined the status of a new UK support package, including anti-ship missiles and military vehicles, which will arrive in the coming days and weeks.

　　The Washington Post said on the 13th that senior U.S. defense officials said that the United States and its allies have been sending weapons to Ukraine for several weeks, and the United States alone has 8 to 10 military aid flights per day.

The weapons were then transported to Ukraine by ground convoy.

Since the aid supplies have new weapons, the Biden administration is open to providing training in the use of weapons.

　　According to Reuters, the Pentagon on the 13th will host the heads of eight major U.S. arms manufacturers to discuss how the manufacturers can meet Ukraine's weapons needs if the war continues for several years.

The Pentagon has reassembled a team to speed up U.S. government approvals for sales and transfers of weapons produced by defense contractors.

　　The US "Axios" website said that the West once believed that such assistance was too provocative and troublesome for a war that Russia was expected to win in a few weeks.

But now, fears of angering the nuclear-armed Putin or sabotaging peace talks with Russia have receded.

Most NATO countries are giving Ukraine everything it needs to win in "phase two".

Washington was initially careful to distinguish between so-called "offensive" and "defensive" weapons, but Sullivan, the National Security Adviser to the US President, said on Sunday that the distinction was not a framework given the "nature of combat" and "war crimes" committed by Russian forces. apply again.

The shift isn't just happening in America.

Last week, the Czech Republic became the first NATO country to aid Kyiv tanks, and Slovakia handed over an S-300 air defense system.

Presidential "group visit"

　　In addition to weapons aid, the West has also supported Ukraine through field visits by dignitaries.

On the 13th, the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania visited Ukraine together and met with Zelensky to discuss providing aid to Ukraine.

The "presidential corps" originally included the German president, but Kyiv called him "unpopular."

　　The West has also launched new investigations against Russia.

After Ukraine's "Azov Battalion" accused the Russian army of using drones to drop unknown toxic substances on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on the 12th, the United States, Britain and Australia said they were investigating relevant reports.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said the United States could not "confirm anything about Russia's use of chemical weapons in Ukraine", but warned that the United States had credible information that the Russian military may have used chemical agents.

　　The Russian embassy in the United States responded by saying that there is no evidence to support the remarks, and the Russian armed forces do not have combat agents, because Russia has destroyed all chemical weapons reserves in 2017.

RIA Novosti said the Russian Defense Ministry had previously warned that Ukrainian nationalists might use toxic substances for provocation, blaming the Russian army.

　　Mariupol, who has been under siege for more than a month, came out with various news on the 13th.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the same day that 1,026 people from the 36th Ukrainian Marine Corps Brigade surrendered, including 162 officers.

A spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry questioned the Russian side's claims, saying there was no relevant information.

A senior adviser to Zelensky said the force had broken through and made contact with the Azov Battalion.

　　An action by Zelensky on the 13th also attracted attention.

He released a video speech saying that Ukrainian pro-Russian party leader Medvechuk has been arrested, and he suggested to Russia to exchange Medvechuk for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

The day before, Zelensky posted a photo on social media of Medvechuk with his hands cuffed.

　　Medvechuk, believed to be the only Ukrainian politician who has met regularly with Putin in recent years, has called Putin his daughter's godfather and has denied any wrongdoing.

Peskov said on the 13th that Medvechuk has no background relationship with Russia, and the proceedings against him were carried out under the pretext that he had already thought of. Medvechuk is not a Russian citizen, and Russia does not know whether he is a Russian citizen. I hope the Russian side will get involved.

But Russia and the Donbas region thank Medvechuk for his work over the years in organizing the exchange of detainees.

Peskov also said that the current Russia-Ukraine negotiations have not yielded any results, and the negotiations are still underway.