Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

April 12, 2022

The President's Use of the Word "Genocide" To Describe Russia's Actions in Ukraine

Q. Mr. President, what made you use the word "genocide" today?

Q. Mr. President, have you seen enough evidence to declare genocide in Ukraine, sir?

The President. Yes, I called it genocide because it's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.

And the mountâthe evidence is mounting. It's different than it was last week. Theâmore evidence is coming out of theâliterally, the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine. And we're going to only learn more and more about the devastation.

And we'll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me.

Thank you.

Q. What more did you learn?

Q. Will the U.S. escalate its response, sir?

NOTE: The President spoke at 5:23 p.m. on the tarmac at the Des Moines International Airport prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, MD. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Des Moines, IA. Locations: Des Moines, IA.

Names: Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Subjects: Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Iowa : President's visit; Russia : President; Russia : Ukraine, airstrikes and invasion; Ukraine : Russian airstrikes and invasion.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200276.

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