Biden Seeks to Temper Remark on Putin as U.S. Allies Object
- President, aides soften ‘cannot remain in power’ comment
- Lack of message discipline criticized by Republicans
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President Joe Biden sought to clarify his call for the removal of Vladimir Putin, saying he wasn’t seeking regime change after European allies raised concern and critics said he was further inflaming tension with Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron and the U.K. government distanced themselves from Biden’s stunning comment, which capped a speech in Warsaw to rally support for Ukraine against Russia. One administration official suggested Biden was influenced by stories of suffering he heard from Ukrainian refugees.