Relations between Russia and the US are “on the verge of breaking down” after President Biden labeled Russian leader Vladimir Putin a war criminal, according to the Russian State Department.
The news was delivered personally to John Sullivan, the US ambassador to Russia, on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.
Sullivan was “delivered a note of protest in relation to the recent unacceptable statements made [by Biden]’ the ministry said.
“It is emphasized that such statements by the American President, unworthy of a statesman of such high rank, are bringing Russian-US relations to the brink of collapse,” the statement said.
The Kremlin added that “hostile action against Russia would be firmly and firmly rejected.”
Biden made the comment Wednesday after being asked by a reporter if he was willing to put the label on the Russian president.
“Oh, I think he’s a war criminal,” Biden said.
Ukrainians fleeing the besieged city of Mariupol along with other Zaporizhia passengers arrive in Lviv March 20, 2020.AP Photo/Bernat Armangue
President Biden called Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” when responding to a reporter’s question on March 16, 2022. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file
Ukrainian firefighters clear smoke after shelling a shopping mall in Kyiv March 21, 2022.AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
The Kremlin added that any “hostile actions against Russia would be resolutely and resolutely rejected.” Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
A Ukrainian soldier stands in front of a bunker on the outskirts of Kiev.AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda
Associated Press videographer Mstyslav Chernov walks amid smoke billowing from an air defense base after a Russian attack in Mariupol.AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka
Ukrainian soldiers and firefighters search for people under the rubble after shelling at a shopping center in Kiev.AP Photo/Felipe Dana
A man reacts near his home, which was destroyed after being shelled by Russian forces March 21, 2022 AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
A firefighter watches the destruction after a shopping mall was shelled in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 21, 2022.AP
The Kremlin’s statement follows a trend of increasingly hostile rhetoric between the US and Russia as its invasion of Ukraine continues to falter.
On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that any foreign arms shipment to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate military target by the Kremlin.
With mail wires