Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the nation on Tuesday, blamed the West for the escalation of what Putin repeated as Moscow's 'special military operations' into a full-fledged war.&nbsp;"They (the West) started the war," Putin said, while citing alleged Nazi-inspired troop galvanisation in the Donbas region and consolidation of the US and NATO positions 'near Russia's border'.&nbsp;

"The responsibility for fuelling the Ukrainian conflict, for its escalation, for the number of victims&nbsp;lies completely with Western elites," Putin said in his address ahead of the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;"Western elites are not hiding their goal - to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. It means to be done with us once and for all," Putin said.

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Meanwhile, a top US official on Tuesday described President Vladimir Putin's&nbsp;accusations that Russia had been threatened by the West&nbsp;"absurdity."

"Nobody is attacking Russia. There's a kind of absurdity in the notion that Russia was under some form of military threat from Ukraine or anyone else," White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-invokes-russophobia-says-closely-watching-bidens-visit-to-ukraine-poland-564242">Russia invokes 'Russophobia', says 'closely' watching Biden's visit to Ukraine, Poland</a>

Putin further alleged that the Ukrainian government is protecting the interests of its "Western masters" and is not serving its own national interests.&nbsp;

"The Kyiv regime and their Western masters have completely taken over the economy of the country," the Russian president claimed.

"They have destroyed the Ukrainian industry and economy," he said.

Putin added that the "material state" of those living in Ukraine has degraded.

"They are responsible for the escalation of the situation in Ukraine for the huge numbers of casualties," said Putin.

"And of course, the Kyiv regime is essentially alien to the people of Ukraine. They are not protecting their own interests, but those of their minder countries."&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/putin-thousands-continue-to-join-army-russia-mobilises-318000-recruits-531396">Putin: Thousands continue to join army; Russia mobilises 318,000 recruits</a>

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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Putin also said that the West's sanctions have failed to derail the country's war-effort&nbsp;and claimed that they have not&nbsp;destabilised its economy.

"The Russian economy turned out to be more stable than they thought in the west,"&nbsp;Putin said. "The anti-Russian sanctions are just a means. Their&nbsp;end is to make the people of Russia suffer. But the calculations of these western 'humanists'&nbsp;were faulty," he said.

Russia’s gross domestic product fell by just 2.1 per cent in 2022, boosted by rising prices for its energy exports that helped offset much of the blow from the sanctions.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the nation on Tuesday, blamed the West for the escalation of what Putin repeated as Moscow's 'special military operations' into a full-fledged war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the nation on Tuesday, blamed the West for the escalation of what Putin repeated as Moscow's 'special military operations' into a full-fledged war. "They (the West) started the war," Putin said, while citing alleged Nazi-inspired troop galvanisation in the Donbas region and consolidation of the US and NATO positions 'near Russia's border'. "The responsibility for fuelling the Ukrainian conflict, for its escalation, for the number of victims lies completely with Western elites," Putin said in his address ahead of the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. "Western elites are not hiding their goal - to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. It means to be done with us once and for all," Putin said. #LIVE | Russian President Vladimir Putin's war-time address#UkraineRussiaWar️ #VladimirPutin https://t.co/deXvFVO6Gd — WION (@WIONews) February 21, 2023 × Meanwhile, a top US official on Tuesday described President Vladimir Putin's accusations that Russia had been threatened by the West "absurdity." "Nobody is attacking Russia. There's a kind of absurdity in the notion that Russia was under some form of military threat from Ukraine or anyone else," White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters. ALSO READ | Russia invokes 'Russophobia', says 'closely' watching Biden's visit to Ukraine, Poland Putin further alleged that the Ukrainian government is protecting the interests of its "Western masters" and is not serving its own national interests. "The Kyiv regime and their Western masters have completely taken over the economy of the country," the Russian president claimed. "They have destroyed the Ukrainian industry and economy," he said. Putin added that the "material state" of those living in Ukraine has degraded. "They are responsible for the escalation of the situation in Ukraine for the huge numbers of casualties," said Putin. "And of course, the Kyiv regime is essentially alien to the people of Ukraine. They are not protecting their own interests, but those of their minder countries." ALSO WATCH | Putin: Thousands continue to join army; Russia mobilises 318,000 recruits × Putin also said that the West's sanctions have failed to derail the country's war-effort and claimed that they have not destabilised its economy. "The Russian economy turned out to be more stable than they thought in the west," Putin said. "The anti-Russian sanctions are just a means. Their end is to make the people of Russia suffer. But the calculations of these western 'humanists' were faulty," he said. Russia’s gross domestic product fell by just 2.1 per cent in 2022, boosted by rising prices for its energy exports that helped offset much of the blow from the sanctions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

West 'completely' responsible for fueling the Ukraine conflict, says Putin

Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;emerged from political exile Saturday to blast President Joe Biden and NATO over the Ukraine crisis and reprise his false claims of a stolen 2020&nbsp;election&nbsp;in a speech to grassroots Republicans.

Speaking at the annual&nbsp;Conservative&nbsp;Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida, the former president spent 86 minutes reprising&nbsp;many of his favorite applause lines, assailing the "radical left" and its "witch hunt" against him.

As massive explosions lit up the sky over Ukraine's capital Kyiv,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;blamed Russia's invasion of its neighbor on Biden's "weakness" and lavished praise on President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin's intellect.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/did-nostradamus-foresee-the-russia-ukraine-war-reaching-france-456969">Did Nostradamus foresee the Russia-Ukraine war reaching France?&nbsp;</a>

"As everyone understands, this horrific disaster would never have happened if our&nbsp;election&nbsp;was not rigged," he said, to rapt applause.

NATO, he said, was "looking the opposite of smart" for hitting Russia with sanctions rather than resolving to "blow (Russia) to pieces -- at least psychologically."

"The problem is not that&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;is smart, which of course he's smart," he went on. "But the real problem is that our leaders are so dumb."

After a year largely out of the public eye,&nbsp;Trump's ecstatic reception left little doubt that the Republican Party remains in thrall to the twice-impeached, single-term president. &nbsp;

There were chants of "four more years" from the sea of supporters in red "Make America Great Again" hats, who clapped on cue as&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;railed against "woke tyranny" and "cancel culture."

The crowd reserved their largest cheers for the 75-year-old headliner's dismissal of Democrats' claims to be the party of democracy as "bullshit" -- and for his claim that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg "used to come to the White House and kiss my ass."

There were nods to a possible 2024 run -- "we did it twice and we'll do it again," he claimed, falsely recasting his 2020 defeat to Biden as a victory -- although he left the crowd guessing about whether he will personally challenge Biden to a rematch.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tells-how-russia-ukraine-crisis-could-have-been-handled-differently-if-he-was-in-power-455657">Donald Trump tells how Russia-Ukraine crisis could have been handled differently if he was in power</a>

Fight like hell

CPAC, the country's largest&nbsp;conservative&nbsp;gathering, usually offers a valuable insight into the direction the Republicans plan to take over the coming months.

Trump&nbsp;had been expected to lay out a forward-looking "vision for America," according to organizers,&nbsp;as the Republicans look to take back control of Congress in November's midterm&nbsp;elections.

Instead he dwelt at length on his 2020&nbsp;election&nbsp;loss and his false claims that he was robbed by widespread voter fraud, urging the crowd to "fight like hell" or face their country being destroyed.

It was similar to the rhetoric that inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on January 6 2021, for which he was punished with his second impeachment.

His remarks came as Russian rockets began pounding the outskirts of Kyiv in an escalating crisis that ended up emerging as a major topic of discussion at CPAC.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Have Western Leaders failed Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-have-western-leaders-failed-ukraine-456596/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Trump&nbsp;called besieged President Volodymyr Zelensky "a brave man," falsely claiming that the Ukrainian leader had exonerated him over the scandal that led to his first impeachment.

While he was president,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;withheld vital military aid from the US ally as he tried unsuccessfully to pressure Zelensky into digging up political dirt on the Biden family ahead of the 2020&nbsp;election.

"After spending four years selling out Ukraine, the defeated former president took the stage at CPAC to double down on his shameless praise for&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;as innocent Ukrainians shelter from bombs and missiles at the hands of Russia," Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Adonna Biel said after the speech.

Donald Trump emerged from political exile Saturday to blast President Joe Biden and NATO over the Ukraine crisis and reprise his false claims of a stolen 2020 election in a speech to grassroots Republicans.

Donald Trump emerged from political exile Saturday to blast President Joe Biden and NATO over the Ukraine crisis and reprise his false claims of a stolen 2020 election in a speech to grassroots Republicans. Speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida, the former president spent 86 minutes reprising many of his favorite applause lines, assailing the "radical left" and its "witch hunt" against him. As massive explosions lit up the sky over Ukraine's capital Kyiv, Trump blamed Russia's invasion of its neighbor on Biden's "weakness" and lavished praise on President Vladimir Putin's intellect. Also read | Did Nostradamus foresee the Russia-Ukraine war reaching France? "As everyone understands, this horrific disaster would never have happened if our election was not rigged," he said, to rapt applause. NATO, he said, was "looking the opposite of smart" for hitting Russia with sanctions rather than resolving to "blow (Russia) to pieces -- at least psychologically." "The problem is not that Putin is smart, which of course he's smart," he went on. "But the real problem is that our leaders are so dumb." After a year largely out of the public eye, Trump's ecstatic reception left little doubt that the Republican Party remains in thrall to the twice-impeached, single-term president. There were chants of "four more years" from the sea of supporters in red "Make America Great Again" hats, who clapped on cue as Trump railed against "woke tyranny" and "cancel culture." The crowd reserved their largest cheers for the 75-year-old headliner's dismissal of Democrats' claims to be the party of democracy as "bullshit" -- and for his claim that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg "used to come to the White House and kiss my ass." There were nods to a possible 2024 run -- "we did it twice and we'll do it again," he claimed, falsely recasting his 2020 defeat to Biden as a victory -- although he left the crowd guessing about whether he will personally challenge Biden to a rematch. Also read | Donald Trump tells how Russia-Ukraine crisis could have been handled differently if he was in power Fight like hell CPAC, the country's largest conservative gathering, usually offers a valuable insight into the direction the Republicans plan to take over the coming months. Trump had been expected to lay out a forward-looking "vision for America," according to organizers, as the Republicans look to take back control of Congress in November's midterm elections. Instead he dwelt at length on his 2020 election loss and his false claims that he was robbed by widespread voter fraud, urging the crowd to "fight like hell" or face their country being destroyed. It was similar to the rhetoric that inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on January 6 2021, for which he was punished with his second impeachment. His remarks came as Russian rockets began pounding the outskirts of Kyiv in an escalating crisis that ended up emerging as a major topic of discussion at CPAC. Watch | Gravitas: Have Western Leaders failed Ukraine? Trump called besieged President Volodymyr Zelensky "a brave man," falsely claiming that the Ukrainian leader had exonerated him over the scandal that led to his first impeachment. While he was president, Trump withheld vital military aid from the US ally as he tried unsuccessfully to pressure Zelensky into digging up political dirt on the Biden family ahead of the 2020 election. "After spending four years selling out Ukraine, the defeated former president took the stage at CPAC to double down on his shameless praise for Putin as innocent Ukrainians shelter from bombs and missiles at the hands of Russia," Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Adonna Biel said after the speech.

Trump praises Putin, revives election lies at conservative forum

At a low point in US-Russian relations, President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin appear to agree broadly on at least one thing,&nbsp;their first face-to-face meeting Wednesday is a chance to set the stage for a new era in arms control.

Whether that leads to actual arms negotiations is another matter, complicated by the soured relationship and accusations by each country that the other has cheated on past arms treaties.

The fabric of arms control has been fraying, notably with the abandonment in 2019;&nbsp;first by Washington, then by Moscow,&nbsp;of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which had governed a whole class of missiles for more than three decades.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-formally-exits-from-open-skies-pact-with-us-after-putins-approval-389947">Russia formally exits from Open Skies pact with US after Putin's approval</a>

The Trump administration also pulled the United States out of the Open Skies Treaty, which had allowed surveillance flights over military facilities in both countries. Last month the Biden administration informed the Russians that it would not reenter the treaty, and last week Putin confirmed Russia's exit.

Biden and Putin now face choices about how and when to restart a dialogue over arms control priorities, even as Biden faces pressure from Congress on China's growing military might and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Despite its importance, the arms control issue may get overshadowed at the Biden-Putin summit, given heightened US focus on ransomware attacks, alleged Russian interference in US elections, Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's border and allegations that the Kremlin was behind the SolarWinds hacking campaign.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-slap-new-sanctions-on-russia-for-election-interference-cyber-attack-sources-377685">US to slap new sanctions on Russia for election interference, cyber attack: Sources</a>

International arms control groups are pressing the Russian and American leaders to start a push for new arms control by holding "strategic stability" talks,&nbsp;a series of government-to-government discussions meant to sort through the many areas of disagreement and tension on the national security front.

There also are calls for such consultations to include Europe because the talks could cover a wide range of issues including cyberthreats, space operations and missile defences, in addition to nuclear weapons.

Officials in Moscow and Washington have indicated they see value in strategic stability talks, which probably would not be an arms control negotiation but rather a series of discussions at lower levels aimed at deciding how to organize and prioritize an eventual arms control agenda.

"What we are looking to do is for the two presidents to be able to send a clear signal to their teams on questions of strategic stability so that we can make progress on arms control and other nuclear areas to reduce tension and instability in that aspect of the relationship,"&nbsp;Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said last week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-us-russia-fight-it-out-or-resolve-issues-377626">Will US, Russia fight it out or resolve issues?</a>

Washington broke off strategic stability talks with Moscow in 2014 in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its military intervention in support of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Talks resumed in 2017 but gained little traction and failed during the Trump administration's final weeks to produce an agreement on extending the New START treaty limiting nuclear weapons. Shortly after Biden took office in January, the two sides agreed to a five-year extension but with no road map for future talks.

Biden wrote in The Washington Post, previewing his trip to Europe, that he already has made clear to Putin that the United States wants to avoid conflict. Biden will attend a NATO summit meeting and consult with European Union officials before the Geneva session with Putin.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-relations-with-us-at-lowest-point-in-years-praises-trump-390976">Putin says relations with US at lowest point in years, praises Trump</a>

"We want a stable and predictable relationship where we can work with Russia on issues like strategic stability and arms control," Biden wrote.

Putin said he, too, is ready for such talks.

"Strategic stability is extremely important,"&nbsp;Putin said June 3 in remarks to heads of international news agencies.

"We don't want to scare anyone with our new weapons systems. Yes, we are developing them, and we have achieved certain results and successes. But all leading countries and leading military powers are doing this, and we are just one step ahead."&nbsp;

"We realize that other high-tech powers, such as the United States and other countries, will achieve similar results sooner or later,"&nbsp;Putin added. "Therefore, I believe that it is better to reach an agreement in advance on how we will live together in a changing world. We are ready for this."

Putin appeared to be alluding to what some call Russia's exotic strategic weapons such as the Poseidon nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered torpedo and the experimental Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Putin has said these can be discussed as part of a strategic stability dialogue. But the Americans must be prepared to include for discussion their work on strategic missile defences, which Moscow has long called an impediment to arms control.

International arms control experts want to ensure that Europe has a place at the table. Some favour a restart of direct consultations between NATO and Russia, which were cut off after Russia seized Crimea, not as an arms control forum but as a means of discussing tensions and reducing risks of war.

In the past, the US, Europe and Russia shared a mutual understanding of the ways to avoid accidents and miscalculations leading to conflict.

"Today, however, clashing national interests, insufficient dialogue, eroding arms control agreements, advanced missile systems, and new cyber and hypersonic weapons have destabilised the old equilibrium and are increasing the risk of nuclear conflict,"&nbsp;US, European and Russian members of the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group wrote in a statement last Monday urging more attention to arms control.

In a separate appeal to Putin and Biden, a group of Russian and American organisations, nuclear policy experts and former senior government officials called for resuming a strategic dialogue "that is regular, frequent, comprehensive and result-oriented leading to further reduction of the nuclear risk hanging over the world and to the rediscovery of the road to a world free of nuclear weapons."

At a low point in US-Russian relations, President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin appear to agree broadly on at least one thing, their first face-to-face meeting Wednesday is a chance to set the stage for a new era in arms control.

At a low point in US-Russian relations, President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin appear to agree broadly on at least one thing, their first face-to-face meeting Wednesday is a chance to set the stage for a new era in arms control. Whether that leads to actual arms negotiations is another matter, complicated by the soured relationship and accusations by each country that the other has cheated on past arms treaties. The fabric of arms control has been fraying, notably with the abandonment in 2019; first by Washington, then by Moscow, of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which had governed a whole class of missiles for more than three decades. Also read | Russia formally exits from Open Skies pact with US after Putin's approval The Trump administration also pulled the United States out of the Open Skies Treaty, which had allowed surveillance flights over military facilities in both countries. Last month the Biden administration informed the Russians that it would not reenter the treaty, and last week Putin confirmed Russia's exit. Biden and Putin now face choices about how and when to restart a dialogue over arms control priorities, even as Biden faces pressure from Congress on China's growing military might and North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Despite its importance, the arms control issue may get overshadowed at the Biden-Putin summit, given heightened US focus on ransomware attacks, alleged Russian interference in US elections, Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's border and allegations that the Kremlin was behind the SolarWinds hacking campaign. Also read | US to slap new sanctions on Russia for election interference, cyber attack: Sources International arms control groups are pressing the Russian and American leaders to start a push for new arms control by holding "strategic stability" talks, a series of government-to-government discussions meant to sort through the many areas of disagreement and tension on the national security front. There also are calls for such consultations to include Europe because the talks could cover a wide range of issues including cyberthreats, space operations and missile defences, in addition to nuclear weapons. Officials in Moscow and Washington have indicated they see value in strategic stability talks, which probably would not be an arms control negotiation but rather a series of discussions at lower levels aimed at deciding how to organize and prioritize an eventual arms control agenda. "What we are looking to do is for the two presidents to be able to send a clear signal to their teams on questions of strategic stability so that we can make progress on arms control and other nuclear areas to reduce tension and instability in that aspect of the relationship," Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said last week. Also read | Will US, Russia fight it out or resolve issues? Washington broke off strategic stability talks with Moscow in 2014 in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its military intervention in support of separatists in eastern Ukraine. Talks resumed in 2017 but gained little traction and failed during the Trump administration's final weeks to produce an agreement on extending the New START treaty limiting nuclear weapons. Shortly after Biden took office in January, the two sides agreed to a five-year extension but with no road map for future talks. Biden wrote in The Washington Post, previewing his trip to Europe, that he already has made clear to Putin that the United States wants to avoid conflict. Biden will attend a NATO summit meeting and consult with European Union officials before the Geneva session with Putin. Also read | Putin says relations with US at lowest point in years, praises Trump "We want a stable and predictable relationship where we can work with Russia on issues like strategic stability and arms control," Biden wrote. Putin said he, too, is ready for such talks. "Strategic stability is extremely important," Putin said June 3 in remarks to heads of international news agencies. "We don't want to scare anyone with our new weapons systems. Yes, we are developing them, and we have achieved certain results and successes. But all leading countries and leading military powers are doing this, and we are just one step ahead." "We realize that other high-tech powers, such as the United States and other countries, will achieve similar results sooner or later," Putin added. "Therefore, I believe that it is better to reach an agreement in advance on how we will live together in a changing world. We are ready for this." Putin appeared to be alluding to what some call Russia's exotic strategic weapons such as the Poseidon nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered torpedo and the experimental Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. Putin has said these can be discussed as part of a strategic stability dialogue. But the Americans must be prepared to include for discussion their work on strategic missile defences, which Moscow has long called an impediment to arms control. International arms control experts want to ensure that Europe has a place at the table. Some favour a restart of direct consultations between NATO and Russia, which were cut off after Russia seized Crimea, not as an arms control forum but as a means of discussing tensions and reducing risks of war. In the past, the US, Europe and Russia shared a mutual understanding of the ways to avoid accidents and miscalculations leading to conflict. "Today, however, clashing national interests, insufficient dialogue, eroding arms control agreements, advanced missile systems, and new cyber and hypersonic weapons have destabilised the old equilibrium and are increasing the risk of nuclear conflict," US, European and Russian members of the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group wrote in a statement last Monday urging more attention to arms control. In a separate appeal to Putin and Biden, a group of Russian and American organisations, nuclear policy experts and former senior government officials called for resuming a strategic dialogue "that is regular, frequent, comprehensive and result-oriented leading to further reduction of the nuclear risk hanging over the world and to the rediscovery of the road to a world free of nuclear weapons."

At an arms control crossroads, Biden and Putin face choices

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Wednesday, said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "terrible things", but stayed clear of labelling him as a "killer", unlike <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Biden.</a>

A few days after US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/subtle-art-of-diplomacy-biden-and-putin-engage-in-verbal-spat-371511">Joe Biden labelled Putin as a 'killer'</a>, Trudeau, in a rare moment, criticised the Russian leader.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-regrets-us-refusal-to-attend-putin-biden-live-debate-372284">Russia says regrets US refusal to attend Putin-Biden live debate</a>

The Canadian prime minister is not known for openly criticising world leaders. However, during an interview on SiriusXM radio's The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge, when he was questioned about Biden's remarks against Putin, Trudeau raised questions about Putin's behaviour.

"I'm sure (Putin) is responsible for all sorts of terrible things because his behaviour continues to demonstrate that," he said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prepared-for-worst-kremlin-on-possible-new-cold-war-with-us-371691">'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US</a>

Trudeau used Russia's annexation of Crimea as an example saying that "significant cyberattacks he's responsible for and the attempts to destabilize our democracies."

He also recalled his interactions with Putin and described him to a man who will "look at you and say whatever is convenient to him at any given moment."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/moscow-recalls-its-envoy-to-us-for-emergency-consultation-after-killer-row-372356">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/moscow-recalls-its-envoy-to-us-for-emergency-consultation-after-killer-row-372356/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"He is not particularly interested in what the Western world or what Canada thinks of him," he added.

Talking about the relations between Canada and Russia, Trudeau agreed that the two nations do not work closely. "I certainly know he's not someone who is supportive or a friend of Canada or Canadians in any way shape or form," he said. "And we have to very much be wide-eyed and clear-eyed about how we approach (relations with Russia)."

However, unlike Biden, Trudeau steered clear of labelling the Russian President as a 'killer'. When the PM was asked in an interview if he agreed with Biden's view on Putin, Trudeau refused to use the label explaining that he doesn't "have the information to make that assertion."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Wednesday, said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "terrible things", but stayed clear of labelling him as a "killer", unlike Biden.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Wednesday, said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "terrible things", but stayed clear of labelling him as a "killer", unlike Biden. A few days after US President Joe Biden labelled Putin as a 'killer', Trudeau, in a rare moment, criticised the Russian leader. Also read | Russia says regrets US refusal to attend Putin-Biden live debate The Canadian prime minister is not known for openly criticising world leaders. However, during an interview on SiriusXM radio's The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge, when he was questioned about Biden's remarks against Putin, Trudeau raised questions about Putin's behaviour. "I'm sure (Putin) is responsible for all sorts of terrible things because his behaviour continues to demonstrate that," he said. Also read| 'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US Trudeau used Russia's annexation of Crimea as an example saying that "significant cyberattacks he's responsible for and the attempts to destabilize our democracies." He also recalled his interactions with Putin and described him to a man who will "look at you and say whatever is convenient to him at any given moment." Watch | "He is not particularly interested in what the Western world or what Canada thinks of him," he added. Talking about the relations between Canada and Russia, Trudeau agreed that the two nations do not work closely. "I certainly know he's not someone who is supportive or a friend of Canada or Canadians in any way shape or form," he said. "And we have to very much be wide-eyed and clear-eyed about how we approach (relations with Russia)." However, unlike Biden, Trudeau steered clear of labelling the Russian President as a 'killer'. When the PM was asked in an interview if he agreed with Biden's view on Putin, Trudeau refused to use the label explaining that he doesn't "have the information to make that assertion."

Canada's Trudeau says Putin capable of 'terrible things' but won't call him 'killer'

A few hours after a US intelligence report claimed that the Russian President Vladimir Putin likely directed meddling in US election 2020, the current US President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden"> Joe Biden</a> has said he agrees that Putin is a 'killer'.

"He will pay a price. You'll see shortly," Biden said during an interview with an international media house, ABC News.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-likely-directed-meddling-in-2020-us-election-report-claims-371004">Putin likely directed meddling in 2020 US election, report claims</a>

"I know him [Putin] relatively well," Biden said, recalling his conversation with Russian ruler in January 2021. "The most important thing dealing with foreign leaders in my experience [...] is just know the other guy," he added.

The US President also added a subtle "I do" when asked if he believes his Russian counterpart is a 'killer'.&nbsp;

This statement has come after a 15-page report, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Tuesday, claimed that the Russian President likely directed efforts to try and sabotage Biden's chances of winning the US election 2020 against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump.</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-biden-says-putin-is-a-killer-and-will-pay-a-price-371217">Watch |</a>

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"Putin had purview over the activities of Andriy Derkach," the report said. "Other senior officials also participated in Russia's election influence efforts - including senior national security and intelligence officials who we assess would not act without receiving at least Putin's tacit approval."

However, these claims were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-calls-us-allegations-over-putin-directed-election-meddling-baseless-371074">dismissed by Russia</a>. "The document prepared by the US intelligence community is another set of groundless accusations against our country of interfering in American internal political processes. The conclusions of the report on Russia conducting influence operations in America are confirmed solely by the confidence of the intelligence services of their self-righteousness. No facts or specific evidence of such claims were provided," &nbsp;the Russian Embassy in Washington said on Wednesday.

Immediately after Biden's statement,&nbsp;Russia's lower house of parliament denounced the US President for agreeing that Putin is a 'killer'. Claiming that attacks on Putin are attacks on Russia, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel that "Biden insulted the citizens of our country with his statement".

A few hours after a US intelligence report claimed that the Russian President Vladimir Putin likely directed meddling in US election 2020, the current US President Joe Biden has said he agrees that Putin is a 'killer'.

A few hours after a US intelligence report claimed that the Russian President Vladimir Putin likely directed meddling in US election 2020, the current US President Joe Biden has said he agrees that Putin is a 'killer'. "He will pay a price. You'll see shortly," Biden said during an interview with an international media house, ABC News. Also read | Putin likely directed meddling in 2020 US election, report claims "I know him [Putin] relatively well," Biden said, recalling his conversation with Russian ruler in January 2021. "The most important thing dealing with foreign leaders in my experience [...] is just know the other guy," he added. The US President also added a subtle "I do" when asked if he believes his Russian counterpart is a 'killer'. This statement has come after a 15-page report, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Tuesday, claimed that the Russian President likely directed efforts to try and sabotage Biden's chances of winning the US election 2020 against Donald Trump. Watch | "Putin had purview over the activities of Andriy Derkach," the report said. "Other senior officials also participated in Russia's election influence efforts - including senior national security and intelligence officials who we assess would not act without receiving at least Putin's tacit approval." However, these claims were dismissed by Russia. "The document prepared by the US intelligence community is another set of groundless accusations against our country of interfering in American internal political processes. The conclusions of the report on Russia conducting influence operations in America are confirmed solely by the confidence of the intelligence services of their self-righteousness. No facts or specific evidence of such claims were provided," the Russian Embassy in Washington said on Wednesday. Immediately after Biden's statement, Russia's lower house of parliament denounced the US President for agreeing that Putin is a 'killer'. Claiming that attacks on Putin are attacks on Russia, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel that "Biden insulted the citizens of our country with his statement".

Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations