Biden calls Putin a 'war criminal,' sending more weapons to Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the afternoon general session of the National League of Cities' Congressional City Conference at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, U.S., March 14, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden on Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin "is a war criminal" for attacking Ukraine and announced an additional $800 million in security assistance including weapons to take down Russian planes and tanks.

In an exchange with a reporter at the White House, Biden said, "Oh I think he is a war criminal," after initially responding with a "no" to a question about whether he was ready to call Putin that.