US President Declares Vladimir Putin 'Cannot Remain in Power'

US President Joe Biden, in his fiery speech, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power," calling on democratic countries around the world to unite in support of Ukraine. However, the White House later clarified that Biden did not call for a change of regime in Moscow, Reuters reports.

"For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said to the gathered crowd in Warsaw.

Biden also mentioned that the West stands united against Russia's "aggression," while noting that NATO is a defensive security alliance that has never sought to topple Russia. However, a White House spokesperson stated that these remarks do not indicate a shift in Washington's policy, which does not aim for regime change in Russia.

"The president said that Putin should not be allowed to exert power over his neighbors or the region," the spokesperson said. "He did not discuss Putin's power in Russia or regime change." Earlier that day, after visiting Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw, Biden also referred to Putin as a "butcher."

President Joe Biden also announced that the United States has imposed sanctions on 140 Russian oligarchs and their family members, "seeking their illicit profits, yachts, luxury apartments, and mansions," as well as over 400 Russian government officials, including key architects of this war, according to The First News.

"These officials and all of their bodyguards have profited immensely from the corruption linked to the Kremlin. Now they should share in the pain being experienced by the private sector," he stated.

Biden further noted that international sanctions against Russia are "eroding Russia's power, its ability to replace soldiers, and its capacity to project strength." He concluded by saying, "Before this invasion, the Russian economy was ranked 11th in the world. Soon it will not even be among the top twenty globally."