It is a new spiral of tensions which begins between Moscow and Washington.
Despite their multiple disagreements, the two powers have asserted since the change of American administration, wanting to cooperate on issues of common interest.
To a journalist asking him if the master of the Kremlin was "a killer", Joe Biden replied in the affirmative on Wednesday.
The return to sender was not long in coming.
"It is the one who says it who is!"
Vladimir Putin blurted out according to comments broadcast on Russian television.
“It's not just a childish expression, a joke, we always see each other as our own characteristics,” he said with his finger up.
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For Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin is a "killer" and "will pay the price"
"We will defend our own interests and we will work with the Americans on terms that will be advantageous to us," the Russian president then warned.
Beyond the exchange of spades, Moscow made it clear that Joe Biden's remarks were unacceptable.
Unprecedented since 1998, the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassador to the United States for consultations on the future of the Russian-American relationship, plunged into "deadlock".
Because, according to the Russian embassy in Washington, the "thoughtless statements of American officials risk causing the collapse of relations already excessively conflicting".