The White House has apparently rejected the invitation for a “live” public debate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying President Biden is “fairly busy” over the weekend.
Putin on Thursday challenged Biden to an on-air discussion to discuss his latest warning that Putin would pay a price, following a report containing evidence of Russian interference in the 2020 presidential election. Biden also agreed that the Russian president was a murderer.
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Putin told a Moscow reporter on Thursday that he “would like to invite President Biden to continue our discussion, but only on the condition that we do so.”
“But without delay, directly in an open, direct discussion,” Putin said, suggesting that they hold the live talk as early as Friday or Monday, adding that he, as the world’s two leading superpowers, thought the dialogue would be interesting to the American. and Russian people, as well as for the international community.
“We are ready at any time that is convenient for the American party,” Putin added.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Putin’s request during the White House press briefing on Thursday.
“I have nothing to report to you in terms of a future meeting,” Psaki said. “The president will, of course, be in Georgia tomorrow and be quite busy.”
The White House National Security Council did not comment further.
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The request comes after Biden made headlines this week after an interview with George Stephanopoulos, ABC, when the president was asked if he thought Putin was a “killer” to which he replied, “I do.”
Putin responded Thursday by saying, “It is necessary to know one.”
Psaki said on Thursday, when asked by reporters whether Biden regretted his remarks, “No.”
“The president gave a direct answer to a direct question,” she added.
A declassified report released Tuesday by the director of the director of national intelligence found that while no foreign powers’ manipulated any election results, Russia wanted to influence public opinion in opposition to Biden.
“The price he’s going to pay you will see soon,” Biden said later.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to the United States following the president’s remarks.
Fox News’s Caitlin McFall and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.