Russia fired back at President Joe Biden after he dished out harsh criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While delivering remarks on Thursday, Biden said, “I think we’re in an inflection point in history. I think we’re in a genuine struggle between autocracies and democracies, and whether or not democracies can be sustained.”
He went on to acknowledge that nations are “standing together against a murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine.”
Watch his comments below:
Pres. Biden called Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin a 'murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine' pic.twitter.com/892tg5EVIT
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) March 18, 2022
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Biden’s remarks during a conference call Friday, as The Washington Post reported.
“Given Mr. Biden’s irritability, his fatigue and sometimes forgetfulness … which ultimately leads to aggressive statements, we probably will not give any sharp assessments so as not to cause more aggression,” Peskov said.
John Blaxland, a professor of international security and intelligence studies at Australian National University, told the Post that Biden’s comment “can actually be seen as a clever ploy to put the heat back onto Putin.”
He added, “It certainly resonates with his international partners in NATO and beyond and in countries like Australia and Japan who are looking for resolve from the United States, resolve that echoes in East Asia.”
Biden’s remark came after he told reporters he believes Putin is a “war criminal.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken later echoed Biden’s remark.
“Yesterday, President Biden said that in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. Personally, I agree,” Blinken said. “Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the past few weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise.”
On Thursday, Blinken confirmed an American citizen was killed in Ukraine, as IJR reported.