In a move likely to escalate diplomatic tensions even further, the US President Joe Biden has labelled Russian leader Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" .



Biden delivered the off the script remark on Wednesday, March 16 in response to a reporter's question at the White House, making it the first time he has used such language to condemn President Putin.




Russia has targeted civilian apartments, care homes and even hospitals during it's three week war with Ukraine, inflicting deaths on the young, elderly and even new borns, leading many to allege he's commited war crimes, but US officials have been wary of calling him a 'war criminal' yet.


The exchange in Washington happened Wednesday when a reporter asked the US president: "Mr President, after everything we have seen, are you ready to call Putin a war criminal?"


Biden replied "no" before being challenged, and then changed his reply: "Did you ask me whether I would tell ....? Oh, I think he is a war criminal."


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Raking na water.... action na blood.