Russia summons US ambassador over Biden’s ‘war criminal’ comment

Moscow says Joe Biden’s labelling of Vladimir Putin as a ‘warfare felony’ has pushed US-Russia ties to brink of collapse.

Russia's bombardment of Ukraine has destroyed residential areas and compelled 10 million folks to flee their properties [File: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters]

Russia says it has summoned the US’s ambassador to the nation over President Joe Biden’s current feedback labelling his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a “warfare felony” amid the invasion of Ukraine.

In an announcement on Monday, the Russian international ministry mentioned it summoned US Ambassador John Sullivan as ties between Moscow and Washington had been on the snapping point.

Biden final week advised reporters that Putin was a “warfare felony” for launching an all-out invasion of Ukraine late final month, as Russia’s bombardment has levelled total neighbourhoods and compelled greater than 10 million folks to flee their properties.

“Such statements from the American president, unworthy of a statesman of such excessive rank, put Russian-American relations on the verge of rupture,” the international ministry mentioned within the assertion.

It additionally mentioned Sullivan had been handed a proper letter of protest about “current unacceptable statements” made by Biden, and was warned that “hostile actions taken in opposition to Russia would obtain a agency and decisive response”.

The US Division of State afterward Monday confirmed that a assembly had taken place between Sullivan and the Russian authorities, throughout which Sullivan demanded that Moscow comply with worldwide regulation and known as for consular entry to US residents detained in Russia.

Division of State spokesman Ned Worth advised reporters it's “utterly unacceptable” that the US has been denied consular entry to detained residents.

Tensions between the US and Russia have been rising amid Russian forces’ persevering with assaults on Ukrainian cities and cities, which have drawn world condemnation and complex efforts to deliver a couple of negotiated finish to the battle.

The Biden administration and its allies in Europe have issued a variety of sanctions in opposition to Russian officers, companies and rich elite in an effort to strain Putin to finish the invasion.

The Kremlin instantly rejected Biden’s assertion that Putin was a “warfare felony”, calling it “unacceptable and unforgivable rhetoric”.

However the US’s high diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, doubled down on the president’s remarks, saying final week that he too believed that Russian forces had dedicated warfare crimes in Ukraine.

Blinken mentioned on Thursday that Division of State consultants had been within the means of documenting and evaluating potential warfare crimes in Ukraine to assist worldwide efforts in the direction of accountability, however added that it was obvious that Russia is committing abuses.

“Deliberately focusing on civilians is a warfare crime. After all of the destruction of the previous three weeks, I discover it troublesome to conclude that the Russians are doing in any other case,” he advised reporters.

On Monday, Biden held a name with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the UK to debate their coordinated responses to the Russian invasion.

In a readout after the talks, the White Home mentioned the leaders “mentioned their severe issues about Russia’s brutal ways in Ukraine, together with its assaults on civilians”.

“They underscored their continued help for Ukraine, together with by offering safety help to the courageous Ukrainians who're defending their nation from Russian aggression, and humanitarian help to the tens of millions of Ukrainians who've fled the violence. The leaders additionally reviewed current diplomatic efforts in help of Ukraine’s effort to succeed in a ceasefire,” it mentioned.

Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington earlier within the day, mentioned strained ties between Moscow and Washington might complicate each persevering with negotiations to succeed in a ceasefire in Ukraine, in addition to talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear settlement.

“The truth that the US ambassador has been summoned in Russia, and the truth that ties should not solely strained, however have the potential to be severed utterly, might put a variety of US coverage targets in danger,” Halkett mentioned.

Biden will journey to Poland on Friday to fulfill with President Andrzej Duda to debate the worldwide response to Russia’s invasion. He additionally will meet in Brussels earlier this week with the US’s NATO allies, in addition to leaders of the G7 and European Union.

Earlier on Monday, the EU’s international coverage chief known as Russia’s assaults on the Ukrainian port metropolis of Mariupol “an enormous warfare crime”.

Russian forces have encircled and bombarded Mariupol for greater than two weeks, and tons of of hundreds of residents stay trapped with little if any entry to meals, water and electrical energy.

“What’s occurring now in Mariupol is an enormous warfare crime, destroying the whole lot, bombarding and killing everyone,” Josep Borrell mentioned initially of a gathering of EU international ministers in Brussels.

That was echoed by German International Minister Annalena Baerbock. “The courts must determine, however for me, these are clearly and unequivocally warfare crimes,” she mentioned.