Putin hits back at Biden with Russophobic claim

Ties between the United States and Russia have nosedived after US President Joe Biden's description of the Russian leader as a "killer" saw Vladimir Putin swiftly shoot back.

The White House on Thursday turned down Putin's proposal to hold public talks with Biden.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has demanded an explanation from the US for Biden's "killer" remark in an ABC News interview on Wednesday, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the comment a clear sign that the US president has no intention of repairing relations with Moscow.

During a television interview, Putin responded to Biden's strong language by saying that the West is Russophobic. He called the US a "murderous state"－pointing at the US history of slavery, its slaughter of Native Americans and the atomic bombings of Japan in World War II.

"Be healthy. I wish him good health," said Putin, adding that he really meant what he was saying without a pinch of irony.

Of Russian-US relations, the Russian leader drew attention to the differences in the views of the US public and the political establishment.

Putin said there are "quite a few honest, decent and warmhearted people" in the US who want to live in peace and friendship with Russia.

Putin invited Biden to join him in a live debate. "I want to propose to President Biden to continue our discussion, but on the condition that we do it basically live, as it's called－without any delays and directly in an open, direct discussion," he said. "It seems to me that would be interesting for the people of Russia and for the people of the United States."

Putin said he would ask the Foreign Ministry to arrange a call with Biden in the coming days to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, regional conflicts and other issues.

But the White House quickly rejected the invitation, with press secretary Jen Psaki saying the president is "quite busy" and has "no regrets" for his earlier remarks.

Biden himself left unanswered a journalist's question on Thursday whether he would agree to talk to his Russian counterpart live on air.

Putin said on Thursday that Moscow will cooperate with Washington, but only on terms it finds favorable.

Agencies via Xinhua contributed to this story.