To describe what is happening in Ukraine, for the first time, US President Joe Biden has used the term "genocide", apparently to accuse the Russian military of continuing to attack the country.

In a speech devoted to efforts to counter inflation in Iowa, the US President said: "Your family budget, your ability to fuel your tank, should not be associated with the declaration of the dictator of war and the commission of genocide on the other side of the world."

Later, the US President confirmed his accusation that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had committed a "genocide" in Ukraine, hours after his speech in Iowa, in which he first used the term, to describe the practices of Russian forces in Ukraine.

"Yes, I said it was genocide," Biden told reporters in Iowa, stressing that "evidence builds up" on the accusation, adding that "it's more and more clear that Putin is simply trying to overturn the idea that one can even be Ukrainian."

During the speech in Iowa, Biden attributed the further surge in inflation, which raised U.S. fuel prices between February and March by more than 18 percent, to Russia's attack on Ukraine.

The US president said that "70 percent of the March price rise was due to Putin's fuel price hike."

According to the Consumer Goods Price Index published by the U.S. Department of Labor, inflation rose in March to its highest level since December 1981, hitting 7.1% year-on-year.

The ministry explained in a statement that "the fuel price index rose 18.3% in March" compared to February.

"Putin's invasion of Ukraine raised fuel and food prices worldwide," Biden said.

The Republican opposition criticizes Biden for pursuing an economic policy that exacerbates inflation.