President Joe Biden stated on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power,” increasing international pressure and unifying NATO allies against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The president’s speech in Warsaw’s Royal Castle came as a result of a three-day tour to Europe. Biden spoke with Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian aggression in Poland, as well as US troops stationed in Rzeszow, close to Ukraine’s border.
Despite how inspiring and compelling the president’s speech was, the White House is now reversing its position and providing a more detailed explanation.
“The President’s point was that Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or the region. He was not discussing Putin’s power in Russia, or regime change,” the White House official said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken made it abundantly clear that the US has no plans to replace Russia’s government.
“I think the president, the White House, made the point last night that, quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else,” Blinken said Sunday during a press conference in Jerusalem.
