Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed today, Thursday, that "a murderer is the one who describes the other as such." The two countries.
Putin said in televised statements: "We always see our characteristics in another person and think that he is like us." He added that Moscow would not sever its ties with Washington, but would rather work with the United States based on what is in the "interest" of his country.
This tension between the two countries comes as the two sides confirm, despite their numerous differences, that they want to work together on files of common interest. But after the interview in which Biden made the statement Wednesday, Moscow is not hiding its anger and even talking of a "deterioration" in relations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "The statements of the American president are very bad. It is clear that he does not want to improve relations with our country," adding, "From this principle we will proceed from now on."
As of Wednesday, Moscow announced the summoning of its ambassador from Washington, who will leave Saturday for consultations "on ways to correct Russian-American relations," according to what the Russian embassy in the United States announced.
The embassy said: "The reckless statements of US officials could lead to the collapse of relations, which are witnessing a major controversy."
Peskov said: The ambassador, who will stay in Russia for several days, will meet, if necessary, with Putin personally.
For its part, the US State Department confirmed to AFP that it does not intend to recall its representative from Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said: The summoning of an ambassador is a rare thing in Russian diplomacy, adding: "I do not remember that such a step has been taken."
US President Joe Biden responded positively to a journalist who asked if Putin was a "murderer."
When the famous broadcaster George Stephanopoulos on the American "ABC" TV asked, during a dialogue on Wednesday, a direct question to Biden if he considered that the Russian president was a "murderer," the US president replied, "Yes, I think so."
Then, in the same interview, he said that Putin would pay the "price" for interfering in the US elections in 2016 and 2020. Moscow has always denied these accusations.
Biden continued: "You will soon see the price he will pay."
All these statements were described by the speaker of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, as an "insult" to the Russians and an "attack" on his country.
Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev asked him for "clarifications and apologies."
Russian-American relations in particular, and Russian-Western relations in general have been tense for years, especially after the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Syria, in addition to the poisoning of Russian opposition Alexei Navalny.
And imposed a series of sanctions and counter-penalties between the two parties. On Wednesday, the US government announced that it is further expanding restrictions on the export of sensitive products to Russia.
On Thursday, the Group of Seven condemned the "occupation" of Crimea by Russia.
Since his arrival at the White House in January, President Biden has shown great assertiveness toward the Kremlin, in contrast to the soft approach of his predecessor Donald Trump towards Russia.
But the deterioration of Russian-American relations since the interview, Wednesday, could threaten the emerging cooperation around files of mutual interest.
The most prominent example that Biden spoke about, on Wednesday, is the extension of the Treaty to reduce the nuclear arsenals, "New Start" at the beginning of the year.
On other issues, the Russians and the Americans were betting on reaching pragmatic settlements around them, such as the Iranian nuclear file or the climate crisis.
On the other hand, Biden reiterated his desire to "work" with the Russians when "it is in our mutual interest."
But the White House also stressed that the US president would not "silence his concerns about what he considers abusive acts."
