Putin responds to Biden labeling him a killer: 'It takes one to know one'

Russian President Vladimir Putin
(Image credit: ALEXEY DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hitting back at President Biden with an "I know you are, but what am I" kind of response to being blasted as a "killer."

Biden in an interview with ABC News this week said he believes Putin to be a killer, and the Russian president responded on Thursday by declaring, "It takes one to know one," Bloomberg reports. Putin also said he wishes Biden "good health," a comment he claimed he was making "without irony."

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In the wake of Biden's comments, Russia recalled its U.S. ambassador, while a Kremlin spokesperson said it's clear that Biden "definitely does not want to improve relations," and that the relationship between the countries is "very bad," CNN reports. In addition to calling Putin a killer, Biden also said he doesn't believe the Russian leader has "a soul."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.