© Sputnik / Mikhail Klimentyev Sputnik: Merkel Says She Criticises Putin to His Face, Not Behind His Back After Biden's ‘Killer’ Jab
Joe Biden sparked a diplomatic scandal with Moscow last month after agreeing with a journalist’s characterisation of Vladimir Putin as a “killer” who would be made to “pay a price” for Russia’s alleged meddling in American elections.
Putin brushed off the remarks, wishing Biden “good health” and suggesting he was projecting US sins onto Russia.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has indicated that she is not afraid of criticising her Russian counterpart to his face.
“As far as Mr. Putin is concerned, I will tell you in my own words: if we’re talking about criticism, I don’t hide it. I tell him directly about it, including in our personal conversations. This is my way of dealing with the fact that we do not agree with everything that goes on in Russia in the area of human rights,” Merkel said, speaking at a meeting of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, and answering a colleague’s question about whether she considers Putin to be a “killer”.
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WNU Editor: This is seen in Russia as a "small dig" on President Biden from the German Chancellor.
