Joe Biden Refers To Vladimir Putin As 'Killer', Russia Demands Apology From US

Konstantin Kosachyov, the deputy chairman of Parliament’s upper house, called it a watershed moment in U.S.-Russia ties and said Biden “unacceptable” comments has ended any hope in Moscow of a change of policy towards Washington under the new administration.

Joe Biden | File Image

Amid the ongoing row over U.S. President Joe Biden’s alleged remark describing his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a “killer” who would “pay a price” for election meddling, a Russian lawmaker has demanded an apology from Washington and said this would inevitably inflame the already bad ties between both sides.

Konstantin Kosachyov, the deputy chairman of Parliament’s upper house, called it a watershed moment in U.S.-Russia ties and said Biden “unacceptable” comments has ended any hope in Moscow of a change of policy towards Washington under the new administration.

Kosachyov also commented on Russia’s decision to call back the country’s envoy in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, and said this was the only reasonable step to take in the circumstances.

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“I suspect it will not be the last one if no explanation or apology follows from the American side,” Kosachyov said in a Facebook post, Reuters reports.

“This kind of assessment is not allowed from the mouth of a statesman of such a rank. This kind of statement is not acceptable under any circumstances,” he added.

The Russian lawmaker’s outburst comes as Biden had earlier in an interview with ABC News replied in the affirmative when asked about a U.S. intelligence report that Putin tried to harm his candidacy in the November 2020 presidential elections and promote that of his predecessor and rival Donald Trump.

“I do,” said the U.S President.

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Describing Putin as having no soul, Biden added: “He (Vladimir Putin) will pay a price.”

The Kremlin has, however, not yet commented on Biden’s remark. Russia on Wednesday said it was recalling its envoy to the U.S for urgent consultations over future of ties with Washington.