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Erdogan rebukes Biden’s snipe at Putin, says Russian leader offered ‘intelligent’ response

According to Erdogan, Putin gave a very smart and graceful response

ANKARA, March 19. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden’s remarks about Russian leader Vladimir Putin are unacceptable, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Friday.

"It is unacceptable to make such statements about the Russian president. Mr. Putin gave a very intelligent and graceful response," he pointed out.

Erdogan also commented on an incident on the border with Syria, where the Turkish city of Kilis came under fire. "The regime [of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad] made another mistake. The attack on Kilis was unacceptable and we gave the necessary response," he said.

On Wednesday, Biden said in an interview with ABC News that the Russian authorities would have to "pay a price" for their alleged interference in US elections. In addition, when asked if he considered Putin to be "a killer," Biden answered in the affirmative. Putin responded to Biden’s remarks by wishing him "good health." The Russian president added that he said it "without irony and not as a joke." He also invited Biden to hold public online talks on Friday or Monday. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that she had nothing to say "in terms of a future meeting."