The outrage in Russia over US President Joe Biden’s statements about Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin’s staying in power continues. Biden makes statements and mistakes with “frightening regularity”. are worse than crime, said the prominent Russian foreign politician Konstantin Kosachev. He was responding to Biden’s words that Putin could not remain in office because of the war in Ukraine. There were times when a US president’s word carried weight, but that’s over now, said the chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian Federation Council.
The Kremlin also made it clear on Saturday evening that it was not the United States that decided on leadership in Russia. “That doesn’t decide Biden, the President of Russia is elected by the Russian people,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov after a speech by Biden in Poland. The US President said in front of the historical backdrop in the inner courtyard of Warsaw’s Royal Castle: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.”
Previously, Biden had also referred to Putin as a “butcher,” “war criminal,” and “murderous dictator.” The Russian head of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin accused the US president of “undiplomatic statements” and “hysteria”. “Biden is weak, sick and unhappy,” Volodin commented on Telegram. “US citizens should be ashamed of their president. He may be ill. It would be right if Biden were to undergo a medical examination.” Putin, on the other hand, deserves respect for his “restraint”.
Russia had recently warned against breaking off diplomatic relations due to the massive tensions with the USA.