Regime change in Russia is not NATO's objective, despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday, a day after US President Joe Biden branded Vladimir Putin a "butcher" who "cannot remain in power".
It "is not the objective of NATO, nor that of the US president", Scholz told German state television channel ARD.
"I've had the chance to talk at length with him at the White House and we have also discussed these questions," he added.
The White House moved quickly Saturday to play down Biden's comments during an impassioned speech in Warsaw.
Having denounced the Russian president as a "butcher" for his invasion of Ukraine, Biden said at the end of the speech: "For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power."
"Democracy, freedom and justice have a future everywhere," said Scholz on Sunday.
"But it's for the people and to nations to fight for this freedom," he added.
Scholz's comments follow remarks earlier Sunday by French President Emmanuel Macron, in which he warned against verbal "escalation" with Putin.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
PM Modi To Visit Ukraine In August, First Since 2022 Russia Invasion: Sources Russia Working Hard To Reverse "Terribly Low" Birth Rate, Says Kremlin India's "Freedom Of Choice" Retort On US Criticism Of Ties With Russia Centre Fact-Checks Mamata Banerjee's Mic-Off Claim, She Hits Back At Olympics Opening Ceremony, Drag Parody Of 'The Last Supper' Draws Flak Why Was Woman In Bengaluru Hostel Murdered? What Initial Probe Reveals If We Ignore Emergency Period, Parliament Has Done Well: Jagdeep Dhankhar Body of Pune Man, 26, Swept Away By Floodwaters Recovered After 2 Days From Beyonce To Lady Gaga, Celeb Fashion At The Olympics Opening Ceremony Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.