White House Walks Back Biden Comment That Putin 'Cannot Remain in Power'

The White House walked back President Joe Biden's remark on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power" amid his invasion of Ukraine.

The remark closed a speech Biden gave in Warsaw, Poland, where he spoke to about 1,000 people—including Ukrainian refugees—about the conflict, defending democracy and further condemning Putin.

"We will have a different future—a brighter future rooted in democracy and principle; hope and light, decency and dignity; of freedom of possibilities," Biden said. "For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power."

Many initially believed the comment was Biden calling for the removal of Putin, but in a statement, a White House spokesperson clarified that Biden was not calling for regime change.