WH defends Biden's 'killer' comment about Putin
[REPORTER, OFF CAMERA] “Does President Biden regret calling Vladimir Putin a killer?”
[WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY JEN PSAKI]: “No. The president gave a direct answer to a direct question.”
The White House on Thursday stood by an assertion made by President Joe Biden during a national television interview this week about Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
When asked in an ABC News interview if he believed Putin was a killer, Biden said "I do.”
Putin snapped back Thursday by saying “it takes one to know one,” arguing that every nation has to contend with "bloody events” and suggesting Biden was being hypocritical.
"And you know I remember in my childhood, when we argued in the courtyard we used to say: it takes one to know one. And that's not a coincidence, not just a children's saying or joke. It has deep psychological meaning. We always see our own traits in other people and think they are like how we really are."
Biden in the ABC interview also recalled once telling Putin he had no soul, and said Russia would pay a price for allegedly meddling in the November 2020 U.S. presidential election, something the Kremlin denies.
Putin’s response Thursday also included a somewhat ominous message for Biden, as he wished the U.S. president good health in an apparent reference to Biden's age of 78.
"As he said, we know each other personally. What would I reply to him? I would say: I wish you health. I wish you health. I say that without any irony or joke."
Later on Thursday, Putin proposed he and Biden talk as soon as Friday or Monday – saying he wanted the discussion to be (quote), “live, online, without any delay.”
Russia is preparing to be hit by a new round of U.S. sanctions in the coming days over the alleged election meddling as well as over an alleged hack.
Putin said the two leaders could discuss a range of topics regarding bilateral relations, including the fight against the global health crisis.
