Russian President Vladimir Putin has challenged his US counterpart Joe Biden to take part in a live debate following a controversial interview.
US President Biden appeared in an interview with ABC News last Wednesday where he was asked by George Stephanopoulos if he thought Putin "is a killer".
"Mmhmm, I do," Biden responded.
Biden also described Putin as having no soul, and said he would pay for alleged meddling in the 2020 US presidential election, where Biden defeated former President Donald Trump.
The comments sparked outrage in Russia, with the country recalling its Washington ambassador Anatoly Antonov for consultations to discuss the future of Russia's relationship with the United States.
In an interview on Russian television, Putin hit back at Biden saying: "it takes one to know one".
"And that's not a coincidence, not just a children's saying or joke. It has deep psychological meaning. We always see our own traits in other people and think they are like how we really are. And as a result we evaluate [a person's] actions and give assessments."
He went on to challenge Biden to a debate.
"I've just thought of this now," Putin said, ABC News reported. "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. It seems to me that would be interesting for the people of Russia and for the people of the United States."
Putin proposed holding the discussion as soon as possible.
"I don't want to put this off for long," Putin said. "We could do it tomorrow or Monday. We are ready at any time convenient for the American side."
However, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she wasn't sure if the call would be something the administration would consider, 9News reported.
"I'll have to get back to you if that is something we're entertaining. I would say that the president already had a conversation with President Putin," Psaki said. "The President, of course, will be in Georgia tomorrow and quite busy."
