The White House apparently declined an invitation to a “live” public conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that President Biden is “quite busy” this weekend.
Putin on Thursday challenged Biden to an on-air conversation to discuss his latest warning that Putin “would pay a price” after a report containing evidence of attempted Russian interference in the 2020 presidential election. Biden also agreed that the Russian president he was a murderer.
PUTIN CHALLENGES BIDEN TO TALK WITH HIM IN A ‘LIVE’ TALK
Putin told a reporter in Moscow on Thursday that he wanted to “invite President Biden to continue our discussion, but on condition that we actually do it live”.
“But without delay, directly in an open and direct discussion,” said Putin, suggesting that they keep the conversation going as soon as Friday or Monday, adding that, like the two largest superpowers in the world, he thought the dialogue would be interesting for the American and Russian people, as well as for the international community.
“We are ready at any time that is convenient for the American side,” added Putin.
During the press conference at the White House on Thursday, press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Putin’s request.
“I have nothing to report to you in terms of a future meeting,” said Psaki. “The president will, of course, be in Georgia tomorrow and quite busy.”
The White House National Security Council made no further comments.
RUSSIA BIDEN NOTICES CALLING PUTIN ‘KILLER’ PUT THE RELATIONSHIPS ‘UNDER THE COLLAPSE THREAT’
The request came after Biden made headlines this week, after an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, when the president was asked if he thought Putin was a “killer”, to which he replied “Yes”.
Putin responded on Thursday, saying, “It takes one to know one.”
Psaki, on Thursday, when asked by reporters whether Biden regretted his statements, said: “No.”
“The president gave a direct answer to a direct question,” she added.
A disqualified report released on Tuesday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence found that, while no foreign powers “manipulated the election results,” Russia sought to influence public opinion in opposition to Biden.
“The price he will pay, well, you will see soon,” said Biden later.
Russia called back its ambassador to the United States after the president’s comments.
Fox News’s Caitlin McFall and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.