IN an unscripted remark made at the end of an important speech in Poland, United States president Joe Biden said Russian president Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power”. This statement prompted hurried efforts by senior figures in the US administration to play down the comment in the face of international criticism.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, French president Emmanuel Macron had warned against the use of inflammatory language in an already volatile situation. Britain has also distanced itself from Biden’s comments.