SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

Kremlin, on potential new Cold War, says: we hope for best but prepare for worst

The Kremlin said on Friday that Moscow always hoped for the best but prepared for the worst when it was asked about the possibility of a new Cold War between Russia and the United States.

Diplomatic ties sank to a new low this week after U.S. President Joe Biden said he thought Russian President Vladimir Putin was “a killer” in an interview that prompted Russia to recall its ambassador to the United States. Putin later offered Biden live online talks in the next days.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, said on Friday that Putin’s offer of talks remained open and that Putin could do any time that was convenient for Biden, though the offer would not stay on the table indefinitely.

“Putin said that despite everything there’s no point in playing at megaphone diplomacy and trading barbs. There is a point in continuing relations,” Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

He was asked about a new Cold War between the 2 countries.

“We, of course, always hope for the best, but are always ready for the worst. As far as Russia is concerned, President Putin has clearly stated his desire to continue ties…,” he said.

“But of course, we can’t not take into account Biden’s comments,” he said, in a reference to the U.S. President’s interview with ABC News broadcast on Wednesday.

In it, Biden said “I do” when asked if he believed Putin was a killer, prompting Putin to cite a Russian children’s playground chant in response saying “he who said it, did it”.

Biden also described the Russian leader as having no soul in the interview, saying Putin would pay a price for alleged interference in the November 2020 U.S. presidential election, a claim denied by the Kremlin.

    Source:
  • Reuters