US Secretary of State refuses to call Putin war criminal
Photo: Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unable to call Russian leader Vladimir Putin a war criminal. He only acknowledged Russia as the aggressor during a hearing at the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Congressman Bill Keating asked Rubio whether Russia is the aggressor in the war in Ukraine. The Secretary of State replied that Russia had invaded Ukraine.
Keating then asked the head of the State Department whether he considered Putin a war criminal.
Rubio responded that certain events can definitely be classified as war crimes, but the main goal is to end the war.
He added that the war cannot be ended without negotiations with Putin.
"Crimes have been committed in the war in Ukraine, and there will be accountability for that, but our goal right now is to end that war," Rubio said.
Bessent calls Putin a war criminal
During the congressional hearing, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not avoid answering the question of whether Putin is a war criminal.
He stated directly that he considers the Kremlin leader a war criminal, but emphasized that negotiations with Russia are still necessary.
