Biden Causes Concern After 'Unscripted' Remark About Putin In Power

Joe Biden has been slammed over 'unscripted' comments he made about Vladimir Putin.

The 79-year-old has been in Poland over the past few days, visiting troops and assessing the humanitarian efforts following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month.

And during an impassioned speech in Warsaw yesterday (26 March), he explained why the conflict was so important in defending the principals of democracy.

However, at one point, Biden went off script.

Referring to the Russian president directly, he said: "We will have a different future, a brighter future, rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light, of decency and dignity of freedom and possibilities.

"For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power."

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The remark has been heavily criticised by some, who felt it unnecessarily escalated tensions between Russia and the West.

Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, tweeted: "However desirable it may be, it is not within our power to accomplish - plus runs risk it will increase Putin's inclination to see this as a fight to the finish, raising odds he will reject compromise, escalate, or both.

"Our interests are to end the war on terms Ukraine can accept and to discourage Russian escalation. Today's call for regime change is inconsistent with these ends."

Responding to the comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "This is not to be decided by Mr Biden. It should only be a choice of the people of the Russian Federation."

Following the speech, White House officials confirmed it was unscripted, but that Biden was not calling for a regime change.

An official said: "The President's point was that Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbours or the region.

"He was not discussing Putin's power in Russia, or regime change."

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However, some have praised the comments.

Michael McFaul, the former US ambassador to Russia, said: "On Putin, Biden expressed what billions around the world and millions inside Russia also believe. He did not say that the US should remove him from power. There is a difference."

Since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, Biden has implemented a series of 'severe sanctions' against the Kremlin.

But the sanctions have come at a cost for American citizens, such as a ban of Russian oil imports leading to hiked petrol prices.

Subsequently, he has faced a backlash, with half of Americans saying they don't believe Putin would have invaded Ukraine had former president Donald Trump still been in office.

Last week, a national poll revealed that Biden's approval rating has dropped to 40 percent, its lowest to date.

The national poll, which was carried out by Reuters/Ipsos on 21 and 22 March, surveyed 1,005 people, including 432 Democrats and 366 Republicans.

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