Biden says Putin trying to ‘wipe out’ Ukrainian culture, as prospect of retreat looms in east

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows destroyed buildings, in Popasna, a town in the Sievierodonetsk region, Ukraine. Photograph: AP

Joe Biden has accused Vladimir Putin of trying to “wipe out” Ukraine’s culture but suggested the plan had at least partially backfired by spurring the expansion of Nato in Europe.

The US president told 1,200 graduating cadets in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday: “Not only is he trying to take over Ukraine, he’s literally trying to wipe out the culture and identity of the Ukrainian people. Attacking schools, nurseries, hospitals, museums, with no other purpose than to eliminate a culture.”