Biden accuses Putin of committing 'genocide' in Ukraine

"Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away," the president said.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: April 12, 2022 5:06pm

Updated: April 12, 2022 5:23pm

President Joe Biden on Tuesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing genocide after news surfaced last week of alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces less than two months into their invasion of Ukraine.

Biden also blamed the Russian leader for inflation and higher gas prices during his speech in Menlo, Iowa.

"I’m doing everything within my power by executive orders to bring down the price and address the Putin price hike," he said, The Hill reported.

"Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away," the president added.

Last month, Biden accused Putin of being a "war criminal," but this is the first time he has described the situation as a "genocide" – a term Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has used to describe the situation.

His comments come days after a missile struck a Ukrainian train station, killing an estimated 50 people.

Others, such as the RNC, noticed how it appeared that a bird may have pooped on the president during his speech on Tuesday.