White House Snubs Putin’s Request for Live Debate
The ABC News interview of United States President Joe Biden by George Stephanopoulos, caused an uproar when he called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "killer." In response to the offensive statement, Russia brought back its ambassador to the US.
Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, needs to leave on Saturday. He will discuss with Moscow's foreign ministry the ways to amend Russia-US dwindling ties. The last time Russia removed its ambassador for consultations in the US was way back in 1998 as a protest to former US President Bill Clinton's order to bomb Iraq.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that Biden's words established America's lack of interest to improve relations with them.
During the interview with ABC News, tv host Stephanopoulos asked Biden if he thought of Putin as a "killer." The US president said he did. Putin seems not to be pleased calling him as such. He retorted by challenging Biden to a live online debate.
"I've just thought of this now," Putin told a Russian state television reporter. "I want to propose to President Biden to continue our discussion, but on the condition that we do it basically live, as it's called. Without any delays and directly in an open, direct discussion. It seems to me that would be interesting for the people of Russia and for the people of the United States."
The Russian president added that he didn't want to delay the debate and wants to hold the deliberation as early as Friday or on Monday. He's ready at any time most convenient to the US president.
However, the White House responded by saying that the live debate is quite impossible to happen. Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that Biden is a bit busy and needs to go to Georgia today. She added that the US president did not regret what he had said regarding his earlier comments.
