US President Biden calls Ukraine war 'strategic failure' for Moscow

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) – US President Joe Biden on Saturday called Russia’s war on Ukraine war a “strategic failure” for Moscow.

“Notwithstanding the brutality of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, let there be no doubt that this war has already been a strategic failure for Russia,” Biden said in a speech in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, bordering Ukraine to the east.

After calling Putin a “butcher” earlier Saturday, the first day of a two-day visit to Poland, Biden predicted Russia’s latest war will end in its defeat.

“Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia, for free people (have) refused to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness. We will have a different future, a brighter future rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light, of decency and dignity of freedom and possibilities,” he added.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on Feb. 24, has met international outrage, with the EU, US and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,035 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,650 injured, according to UN estimates, while cautioning that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 3.7 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries – including over 2 million to Poland – with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.