President Joe Biden said the Russian people "are not our enemy" at a speech from Warsaw, Poland.
World leaders had gathered to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has been accused of war crimes.
Biden said Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power," but he stopped short of calling for a regime change.
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President Joe Biden on Saturday said that the Russian people "are not our enemy" during a speech in Europe — pleading with the Russian people to oppose Vladimir Putin's ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"I've always spoken directly and honestly to you, the Russian people. Let me say this if you're able to listen: You, the Russian people, are not our enemy," Biden said from the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland.
He added: "I refuse to believe that you welcome the killing of innocent children and grandparents or that you accept hospitals, schools, maternity wards – for God's sake – being pummeled with Russian missiles and bombs."
During Biden's visit in Warsaw, several rockets struck the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, just 45 miles away from Poland.
Putin's invasion of Ukraine has left thousands dead and even more displaced. Russian forces have also been accused of war crimes, targeting Ukrainian schools and hospitals.
Ironside7 on March 26th, 2022 at 21:35 UTC »
I think this message needs to be put loud and clear. I'm glad Biden said it. I hate everything about Putin & co but I love so many aspects of Russian culture. I think Russia is capable of doing so much good in this world. It will take time to get there though.
high_roller_dude on March 26th, 2022 at 21:01 UTC »
russia is in the perpetual loop of a shitty, corrupt, evil dictatorship going on for several hundred yrs at this point.
few decent humane rulers for few yrs, then quickly followed by psychopath mafia style dictatorship in charge.
russia has produced 3 evil dictators in past century alone, with each one in power for decades. this country has very deep structural problems.
LawrenceOnKeyboard on March 26th, 2022 at 20:42 UTC »
“President Joe Biden on Saturday said that the Russian people "are not our enemy" during a speech in Europe — pleading with the Russian people to oppose Vladimir Putin's ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
“"I've always spoken directly and honestly to you, the Russian people. Let me say this if you're able to listen: You, the Russian people, are not our enemy," Biden said from the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland.”