[World Now] ‘Putin regime change?’

Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

President Joe Biden’s abrupt remarks that might be interpreted as a change of government in Russia caused a stir in the United States and Russia as well as in Europe.

The remarks in question came out during an impromptu speech he gave in Poland on the 26th.

Biden said, “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power,” and this was a statement in the American press that directly hinted at a change of power in Russia. led to

This remark, which was not in the manuscript, caused a lot of controversy because it was a direct departure from the diplomatic and military policy of the US administration that it does not seek artificial regime change in Russia.

The White House immediately issued a separate statement stating that the president did not intend to do so.

“It means that Putin is not authorized to go to war or to invade Ukraine,” said Secretary of State Tony Blincoln on a visit to Israel. and explained.

Julianne Smith, the U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also appeared on CNN and tried to evolve as a human reaction to what President Biden heard regarding meeting Ukrainian refugees.

Russia’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not miss this and strongly objected, “It is not for Mr. Biden to decide. It is only the choice of the people of the Russian Federation.”

As the controversy grew, President Biden dismissed “No” to a reporter’s question, ‘Are you asking for a change of government in Russia?

The Washington Post noted that his impromptu remarks sparked a worldwide uproar, as he said when he was a presidential candidate that “the words of the president are heavy enough to send people to war.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US President Joe Biden met in June last year [사진 제공:연합뉴스]

Regarding this, the American media reported that various analyzes are being raised whether it is a highly calculated diplomatic strategy or a speech mistake that leaked out of intense emotions while digesting a tight schedule.

Just before Putin’s remarks that he should not “keep power”, CNN reported that he had been informed of the bombing of Lviv in western Ukraine, close to Poland.

This is a situation in which emotions can become intense.

It is true that President Biden’s remarks regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin, who emerged as his most powerful opponent in the invasion of Ukraine, are getting harsher.

After meeting with Ukrainian refugees who fled to Poland on the 26th, President Biden called Putin a ‘slaughterer’.

On the 17th, he accused Putin of being a ‘murder dictator’ and a ‘pure thug.’

The day before this, on the 16th, President Putin was defined as a ‘war criminal’.

Analysts say that this expression is an intentional and strategic statement to highlight Putin’s dictatorship and maintain a single rank in the European-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance.

Charles Kupchan of the American Foreign Relations Association, a think tank, told the New York Times, “The message that Europe needs to be united is to Putin.” I did.

Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

In Europe, views were divided over President Biden’s ‘strong remarks’.

French President Emmanuel Macron appeared on a TV show and pointed out that Biden’s ‘slaughterer’ remarks require careful use of words to bring Russia to a standstill.

“I’m not going to use these kinds of words,” he said.

The British government had a similar reaction.

Education Minister Nadim Zahawi said in a TV interview on the same day that when asked if the British government thought Putin should continue, he said, “It depends on the Russian people. The fate of Putin and his aides will be decided by the Russian people.” I drew it.

Patrick Winter, foreign affairs editor for the British daily Guardian, criticized in an analytical article that “the war to protect Ukraine risks escalating into an American aggression. I did.

He added that Biden’s remarks are a “very much needed gift” to the Russian government, which is adept at describing the United States as an “imperialist blackmailer”, making it more difficult for Turkey, Qatar and China to convince Putin.

Rene Pfister, Washington’s bureau chief for the German daily Der Spiegel, also criticized Biden, saying, “President Biden has a special talent to put words down what he had previously struggled to build up.”

In Italy, however, views in favor of President Biden’s remarks emerged.

Foreign Secretary Luigi Di Maio said that Biden’s remarks were “very clear and decisive” and that “we must remember Putin’s use of bombs.”

President Biden has recently sparked controversy several times over remarks that might be interpreted as a mistake.

President Biden, who met U.S. soldiers in Poland, praised the desperate resistance of Ukrainian residents and said, “If you go to the field, you will see it.” Observations were made, and the White House spokesman had to explain once once more that there was no Ukrainian input.

In addition, when President Biden announced that he would respond proportionately to the possibility of Russia’s use of chemical weapons, the White House explained that “the United States does not use chemical weapons under any circumstances” I have one.