Translated with AI
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted during a hearing in the US Congress that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. This statement was made in response to a direct question from a member of Congress about whether he considers Putin a war criminal, to which Bessent answered affirmatively: "Yes."
The hearings focused on the international financial situation, but despite this, questions about international politics and security were not excluded. When asked about the possibility of negotiating with a man widely considered a war criminal, Bessent noted that diplomacy requires communicating with both sides of a conflict, even if one of them violates international norms. The minister cited the example of World War II, when the United States negotiated with Japan despite its aggressive actions.
"I think it's the nature of diplomacy to negotiate with both sides, even if one of them has committed crimes. We have to remember that after World War II, it was necessary to negotiate with the Japanese," Bessent said.
At the same time, US Vice President J.D. Vance noted in his speech that Russia is making too many demands in the negotiations to end the war. Also, US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated that the main obstacle to a ceasefire in Ukraine is Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine was ready for a ceasefire with certain conditions, but the Russian side rejected these proposals.
Kellogg also expressed the opinion that a peace agreement could be reached in the near future if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to negotiate. However, he noted that the only possible outcome of negotiations in the current situation could be the intervention of former US President Donald Trump if Putin is ready for dialogue.
"I think we are close to a ceasefire, but it all depends on Putin making a decision. I think the Russian president is the main obstacle to the peace process at this point," Kellogg said.
Bessent's statement recognizing Putin as a war criminal has become a significant moment in the discussion of issues related to international security and US foreign policy in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.
