Scandal in US interview: Biden calls Putin "killer" - Russia sees "attack on our country"

A US intelligence report reveals that Russia wanted to prevent Joe Biden from being elected.

The US President then threatens Vladimir Putin, and the answer from Moscow is not long in coming.

• A US intelligence report accuses the Russian government of interfering in the 2020 presidential election

  (see initial report)

  .

• US President Joe Biden calls Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin a “killer” in an interview

  (see update from March 17, 1:35 p.m.)

  .

• Joe Biden's statements trigger criticism in Russia

  (see updates from March 17, 3:20 p.m.)

  .

Update from March 18, 2 p.m.:

Putin again commented on the sharp criticism from US President Joe Biden.

In a video link with citizens on the Black Sea Peninsula of Crimea, who today (March 18) are “celebrating” the seventh anniversary of “joining” Russia, Vladimir Putin wished the US President “health”.

Putin to Biden: "Stay healthy!"

“As for what my American colleague said, we are really, as he said, personally acquainted: what would I answer him?

I would tell him: stay healthy!

I wish him health, ”Putin said on this occasion on Thursday.

He emphasized that these wishes for Biden were "without irony and without joke".

In an interview with US television station ABC, Biden had previously answered yes to the question of whether he would describe Putin as a “killer”.

The Kremlin had classified the statements as "very bad".

Update from March 18, 1:30 p.m.:

Now Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin has also personally commented on the allegations of US President Joe Biden.

One should not infer others from oneself, Putin said in reference to the interview in which Biden answered in the affirmative when asked whether he thought Putin was a “killer”.

"We always see our own characteristics in other people and think that they are like ourselves," said Putin and accordingly indirectly accused Biden of the same.

Putin speaks up: Relations with the USA should not be broken off

Nevertheless, Putin declared on Thursday (March 18) in his televised statement that he did not want to break off relations with the US despite the crisis.

"We will defend our interests and work with them on terms that are beneficial to us," said the Russian President.

This statement is significant in view of the fact that in response to Biden's allegations, Russia ordered its ambassador to the United States back to Moscow for the first time in over 20 years.

The Russian embassy in Moscow recently warned of a "collapse" of relations with Washington.

Update from March 18, 1 p.m.:

The Kremlin now officially criticized the statements of US President Joe Biden.

Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskow found clear words to the Interfax agency on Thursday (March 18): "I'm just saying that these are very bad statements by the President of the USA".

In an interview with US television station ABC, Biden last answered yes to the question of whether he would describe Putin as a “killer”.

The words from the Kremlin are clear: "Of course, there has never been anything like this in history," said Peskov.

He referred to the "very bad" Russian-American relations.

Biden has now shown that he has no interest in improving the relationship.

The well-known Moscow foreign politician Konstantin Kosachev also described Biden's statements as inadmissible.

The deputy head of the Russian Federation Council demanded an apology and threatened further action if this did not take place.

Sharp criticism from the Kremlin: there has never been anything like it in history

He stressed that the preliminary withdrawal of the Russian ambassador from Washington was a very serious diplomatic step.

The rejection of Joe Biden is considered great in Moscow.

This is mainly due to the fact that he criticized the human rights situation in Russia and threatened tougher US sanctions.

Update from March 17, 10:35 p.m

.: On Wednesday, Russia ordered its ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, back to Moscow for consultations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow announced on Wednesday evening that relations between the two countries should be analyzed in consultations with Antonov.

Specifically, the conversation should be about how the relationships that are in a "dead end" could be corrected.

"We are interested in preventing irreversible deterioration," it said.

Escalation in US interview: Biden calls Putin "killer" - Russian head of parliament sees "attack on our country"

Update from March 17, 3:20 p.m

.: US President Joe Biden attacked Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in a television interview.

The sharp remarks sparked criticism in Russia.

"Biden has insulted the citizens of our country with his statements," complains parliamentary leader Vyacheslav Volodin in the news channel Telegram.

He accuses the USA of "hysteria" and "powerlessness".

"Putin is our president, attacks on him are attacks on our country," the

dpa

continues

to quote him

.

US President Joe Biden had already announced a tougher course against Russia during the election campaign.

Regarding possible new US sanctions, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the State Duma, Leonid Sluzki, said,

according to the

Interfax agency

: "We will find a clear and appropriate answer to all restrictive measures on the part of the USA, especially because of such imaginary occasions".

Joe Biden attacks Putin: "He will pay a price"

Update from March 17, 1:35 p.m

.: The tone between Washington and Moscow is getting rougher.

After an intelligence report accuses Russia of interfering in the US presidential election, Joe Biden attacks the Russian government sharply.

"He's going to pay a price," remarked Biden to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the

ABC

interview, when asked whether Putin was a “killer”, the US president replied with the words: “I do”.

In a telephone conversation with the Russian President, Biden said, with a view to possible interference by Moscow: “I know you and you know me.

If I find out that this has happened, then be prepared, ”reports the

dpa

.

The US secret services accuse Russia of interfering in the 2020 presidential election with a disinformation campaign.

Biden's election victory was "detrimental to Russian interests," the report said.

The Kremlin denies any interference in the race for president.

Update from March 17th, 1.30 p.m

.: Now Russia is reacting to the intelligence report, which accuses the Kremlin of influencing the US presidential elections in 2020.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov rejects the findings of the paper as "false, absolutely unfounded and unfounded".

Russia did not interfere in the elections, the

dpa

quotes

the government spokesman, claims to the contrary only harm “the already ailing Russian-American relations”.

US secret service sees Russian influence in the 2020 presidential election

First report from March 17th, 11.50 a.m

.:

Washington DC - Russia stood up for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

This is the conclusion of an intelligence report published by the office of intelligence coordinator Avril Haines on Tuesday.

The interference was "approved and carried out" by Vladimir Putin and his government, it said.

Direct attacks on the electoral infrastructure did not materialize, but Moscow "wanted to influence the public perception of the candidates in the US," the report said.

For this, Russian agents spoke to confidants in Trump's environment.

Donald Trump's confidante should support the Russian campaign

The report explains Russia's attempt to influence the 2020 US election. Russia relied on its secret service, state media, internet trolls and allies in Ukraine in its campaign, it said.

Moscow's goal: to discredit Trump competitor Joe Biden and thus secure Trump's re-election.

To this end, Russian agents approached Trump's confidants.

They should start investigations into Biden's corruption allegations in order to undermine the credibility of the Democratic presidential candidate.

In

this context, the

New York Times

brings Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani into play, who in the past repeatedly raised allegations of corruption against Joe Biden's family.

As the intelligence report reveals, one of Moscow's main strategies was to accuse Biden and his family of corruption in connection with Ukraine.

Joe Biden's election victory was "detrimental to Russian interests"

The intelligence report accuses Russia of "undermining trust in the US electoral system and increasing the social divisions among the people of America".

Although there were no direct attacks on the election infrastructure as in the 2016 votes, the disinformation campaign was intended to secure Trump's re-election.

According to the report, the Russian government viewed Biden’s election victory as “detrimental to Russian interests”.

US presidential election 2020: Iran is also said to have tried to influence the votes

As the intelligence report shows, not only Russia is said to have interfered in the 2020 US presidential election.

Iran also tried to influence the vote.

However, Tehran's goals were contrary to Russia's attempts at meddling.

Iran's aim was to reduce the chances of Trump being re-elected and to increase the division in American society.

Tehran did not attack the electoral infrastructure directly.

(

jjf / dpa

)