Russia called back its US ambassador for consultations after US President Joe Biden agreed that he considers Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “killer” and said that he would “pay a price” for election meddling.
On being asked about a US intelligence report during an interview with ABC News, which states that Putin tried to harm his candidacy in the November 2020 election and promote that of Donald Trump, Biden said, “He will pay a price.”
On being asked if he thinks Putin is a “killer,” Biden said, “I do.” Notably, Putin has been accused of ordering the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and other rivals.
Soon after, Russia called back its envoy. However, it stressed that it wanted to prevent an “irreversible deterioration” in relations.
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“The Russian ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has been invited to come to Moscow for consultations conducted with the aim of analyzing what should be done and where to go in the context of ties with the United States,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
“Responsibility for further deterioration of Russian-American ties fully rests with the United States,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told RIA Novosti.
“The United States will “remain clear-eyed about the challenges that Russia poses,” the US State Department said while commenting on Russia’s move.