Chris Lange, FISM News
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The Biden administration was again forced to clarify potentially escalatory remarks made by the president about Russia’s war on Ukraine after using language that could demand an international response on Tuesday.
Biden has broken with the administration’s careful avoidance of using terms that carry significant weight on the global stage, including calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal,” appearing to advocate for a regime change in Moscow, and, most recently, calling Russia’s war actions “genocide.”
Biden’s aides have sought repeatedly to reassure the American public and international community that the president is merely “speaking from his heart” or expressing “moral outrage” in these moments, insinuating that his comments should not always be taken literally. The potential for significant consequences resulting from such comments is great, however, particularly considering Putin’s threat of possible nuclear conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron rebuked Biden’s use of the term “genocide” this week, marking the second time he has criticized Biden’s choice of language concerning the conflict.
Asked about Biden’s use of the weighted term on Wednesday, Macron told French newspaper Le Figaro that the most important objective in the war is achieving peace in Ukraine, adding, “I’m not sure that the escalation of words serves the cause,” as reported by Breitbart. Macron went on to suggest a more “prudent” approach to the war is required.
The French President also publicly criticized Biden two weeks ago for referring to Putin as “a butcher” who “cannot remain in power” in remarks Biden made to reporters in Washington D.C. last month.
“I would not use those words,” Macron said in response, adding that “everything must be done to stop the situation from escalating.”
“If we want to do that, we can’t escalate either in words or actions,” Macron continued.
Genocide is a significant accusation under international law and is considered the most severe judgment that can be levied against a country. Use of the term carries with it a legal obligation for prevention and punishment under a United Nations treaty.
Biden called Putin a “war criminal” at a White House bill-signing reception last month and repeated the comments while visiting U.S. troops in Poland.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday dismissed the notion that anyone might be confused by the idea of Biden’s personal comments not reflecting federal policy at a press briefing, telling reporters that the president ran for office promising that “he would shoot from the shoulder, is his phrase that he often uses, and tell it to them straight. And his comments yesterday, not once but twice, and on war crimes are an exact reflection of that.”
Asked if she had a response to Macron’s latest rebuke, Psaki said “I don’t” without further comment.
Jen Psaki says Biden likes to “shoot from the shoulder” when discussing foreign policy and Russia's invasion of Ukraine pic.twitter.com/tBmIeyUCCj
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 13, 2022
When another reporter asked if the White House has seen evidence of Russia committing genocide in Ukraine, Psaki responded with what appeared to be a non-answer.
“Well, the President spoke to that twice yesterday. And, of course, he’s the president, and we are here to implement his views,” she said.