Russia Says US Refusal of Biden-Putin Talks Is a Missed Opportunity

Putin offered to hold live talks after Biden called him a 'killer'

On Monday, Moscow expressed disappointment in the White House’s rejection of an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold live talks with President Biden. The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement that said not holding the talks was a missed “opportunity” to work on US-Russia relations.

“We regret to note that the American side has not supported the proposal made by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to US President Joe Biden to hold a live-broadcast discussion on March 19 or 22, 2021, on the problems that have accumulated in bilateral relations, as well as on the subject of strategic stability,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“One more opportunity has been missed to find a way out of the deadlock in Russian-US relations created through the fault of Washington,” the statement said, adding that the fault for the souring relations “lies entirely with the United States.”

Putin made the offer after an interview aired last week where President Biden agreed that the Russian President was a “killer” who had “no soul.” In the interview, Biden also threatened action against Putin over dubious allegations of Russian interference in the 2020 election.

It’s not only hostile rhetoric coming from the Biden administration. The US has also sanctioned Russian officials in recent weeks over the jailing of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. The Biden administration is also reportedly planning new sanctions to stop the Nord Stream 2, a Russia to Germany natural gas pipeline.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.