Nuland says US will likely recognize Russia's actions in Ukraine as 'genocide'

The US State Department on Wednesday defended President Joe Biden's charge that Russia is carrying out a genocide in Ukraine, saying its forces are trying to destroy the country and its civilian population, Report informs, citing foreign media.

Biden levelled the accusation at Russian forces for the first time on Tuesday, while adding however that it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's behavior actually qualifies as genocide.

“I am going to predict that what President Biden called it is what we will ultimately likely find when we are able to gather all of this evidence,” the State Department's number three official, Victoria Nuland, said on CNN.

“Because what is happening on the ground is not an accident,” she said.