U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent calls Putin war criminal

Bessent made this statement during his speech before Congress, reports Kyiv Post.

Congressman Juan Vargas asked Bessent if he would negotiate with a war criminal, referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"I think that’s the nature of diplomacy when one must negotiate with both sides. I believe that negotiation was needed with the Japanese after WWII," replied the U.S. Treasury Secretary.

He was also directly asked if he considers Putin a war criminal. Bessent answered, "Yes."

• In 2022, then-U.S. President Joe Biden called Putin a war criminal over the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. It was the first such statement from an American leader since the start of Russia’s invasion.
• In 2023, Donald Trump called the attack on Ukraine a mistake by Putin but refused to label him a war criminal, saying it could harm negotiations with Russia.