President Vladimir Putin Invites Video Call, White House Call President Joe Biden Busy

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Wikimedia Commons: World Economic Forum / Remy Steinegger)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin wants live online talks in the coming days with United States President Joe Biden.

This was conveyed by Putin on Thursday, after Biden said he thought the Russian leader was a killer, while diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States were at their lowest since the end of the Cold War.

Speaking on television, Vladimir Putin immediately responded to Biden's accusation by quoting a song popular in Russian kindergartens. "He who said he did it," said Putin told Reuters.

Vladimir Putin said he last spoke to Biden by telephone at Joe Biden's request. Now, he proposes that they have another conversation, on Friday or Monday, which will be held via video call and broadcast live.

"I would like to offer President Biden we continue our discussions, but on the condition that we do it in person, online, without delay," said Putin, when asked in a television interview about President Joe Biden's comments.

Joe Biden is known to have contacted Vladimir Putin on January 26, or nearly a week after he was appointed on January 20.

The two leaders last spoke by phone on Jan.26 a few days after Biden took office. Gedung said during the talks President Biden raised concerns about Russian activities, including the treatment of imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

In addition, they also agreed to extend the New START arms control agreement on February 5, when the pact expires.

Earlier, in an interview with ABC News, Biden answered "sure", when asked if he believed that Putin was a murderer. This comment led Russia to recall its ambassador to Washington, United States Anatoly Antonov.

Separated, White House Spokesman Jen Psaki On Thursday said Biden had no regrets about calling Putin the killer and dismissed questions about Putin's request for immediate public contact.

"I would say the president has had conversations with President Putin, even though there are more world leaders he has yet to meet. The president of course will be in Georgia tomorrow and quite busy, "said Psaki.