Vladimir Putin hits back at Joe Biden over ‘killer’ remark

Vladimir Putin hits back at Joe Biden for calling him a ‘killer’, challenges him to live debate about worsening US/Russia relations.

President Putin hit back at his American counterpart for calling him a “killer” and challenged him to a live debate about the worsening relations between their countries.

Commenting on President Biden’s remark, Putin quipped: “It takes one to know one. We always see our own traits in other people and think they are like how we really are.” Putin said in televised comments: “We always see our essence in the other person.”

Biden told ABC News on Wednesday that Russia would “pay a price” for its alleged meddling in the 2020 US elections. When asked if he thought Putin was a killer, he said: “Uh-huh, I do.”

Putin, who did not directly deny Biden’s “killer” allegation, took a swipe at American history, citing slavery and the use of nuclear weapons against Japan during the Second World War. “Although they think we are the same as them, we are different people, we have a different genetic and cultural-moral code,” he said.

Shortly after his comments, Putin headed to the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, where he made a surprise appearance at a concert to mark the seventh anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

The concert, which featured a host of Russian pop stars, was announced at a few hours’ notice and attendance was by invitation only.

Although Moscow has not gone into lockdown this year, there are restrictions on the number of people at mass events: stadiums are allowed to admit only 50 per cent of their capacity. The Luzhniki stadium appeared to be almost full. Very few people were wearing face masks.

Vladimir Putin attends a concert marking the seventh anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. Picture: AFP

After his speech, Putin challenged Biden to an online discussion about Russian-US relations, as well as “other problems that humanity is faced with”. He suggested holding the debate today or on Monday.

Tensions between the superpowers have risen in recent weeks over Washington’s moves to sanction Russian officials for the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, the prominent critic of the Kremlin.

The Russian political elite had reacted with outrage to Biden’s comments. “It’s a very bad statement by the president of the United States,” Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, said. “He clearly doesn’t want to fix relations with our country and we will act accordingly from now on.”

Moscow said it was withdrawing its ambassador from Washington for consultations on how to avoid an “irreversible deterioration” in its ties with the United States.

While Biden’s comment angered Moscow, it was welcomed in Germany. “Since the Biden administration took office, the conversations that we have had with different representatives have made clear that there will be clear language in Washington on Russia. And Joe Biden has in particular proven this,” said Heiko Maas, the Foreign Minister.

The Times