JAKARTA - The Kremlin rejected United States President Joe Biden's remarks on Saturday, calling Vladimir Putin "unable to stay in power," saying it was up to Russia to choose their own president.
Asked about President Biden's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters: "It's not Biden's decision. The Russian president is elected by Russia."
Later, a White House official said President Biden, speaking in Warsaw, Poland, was not calling for regime change in Russia, but meant that "Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or the region".
Dmitry Peskov did not immediately respond to a follow-up request, for reaction to the White House clarification.
President Biden has stepped up personal attacks on Putin since the Russian president ordered the invasion of Ukraine last month. The Kremlin responded by questioning the US leader's state of mind.
Last week, he called President Biden a "personal insult" to President Putin after he branded him a "war criminal" and a "killing dictator" and said his remarks appeared to be fueled by irritation, fatigue and forgetfulness.
Reported earlier, US President Joe Biden said Russian leader Vladimir Putin "couldn't stay in power" in Poland Saturday, a statement a White House official said later was meant to prepare world democracies for an extended conflict over Ukraine, not support regime change in Russia.
"For God's sake, this man cannot stay in power," President Biden told a crowd in Warsaw after condemning Putin's month-long war in Ukraine.
A White House official said President Biden's remarks did not represent a change in Washington's policy.
"The President's point is that Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or his territory," the official said.
"He didn't discuss Putin's power in Russia, or regime change." he continued.
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