Biden believes Putin ‘cannot continue in power’ in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During a visit to Poland, US Vice President Joe Biden describes Vladimir Putin as a “butcher” who “cannot survive in power.” Biden’s remarks signal a shift in US stance toward Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Biden was in Poland as part of a four-day journey to Europe that included the G7, the European Council, and NATO allies.

Rockets targeted the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, 37 miles from the Polish border, around the same time. “Russians elect the president,” Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, told the Reuters news agency. Thousands of people have been killed or injured as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and 3.8 million people have been forced to escape the country. Biden had previously referred to Putin as a “butcher” after meeting with Ukrainian migrants on Saturday.