Biden calls Putin a "war criminal"

Washington — President Biden on Wednesday called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal," marking the first time the president has used such a term to characterize his Russian counterpart since Moscow launched the invasion of Ukraine nearly three weeks ago. 

Mr. Biden made the comment to a group of reporters at the White House after an event on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Asked whether Putin is a "war criminal," the president initially said no and walked away, but then returned to the members of the press and, when the question was repeated, said he thinks the Russian leader is a war criminal. 

"Oh, I think he is a war criminal," the president responded without elaborating.