New era, old problems: Russia rebukes Biden for ‘aggressive, unconstructive’ comments

US president declared Washington was done with 'rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions'

Joe Biden with Vladimir Putin in 2011 (EPA-EFE)

The Kremlin has criticised a speech made by US president Joe Biden as “aggressive, unconstructive rhetoric” and warned it would not tolerate any ultimatums imposed by the US.

On Thursday, in his first diplomatic address as president, Mr Biden issued strong condemnation of Russia’s Vladimir Putin and said the US’s days of “rolling over” to him are gone.

Mr Biden also called for the immediate release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was jailed for three years earlier this week after surviving a poisoning some have claimed was ordered by the Kremlin.

The US president used his first visit to the State Department in his role to make clear to the world his administration was making a dramatic turn away from Donald Trump’s approach to Russia. Mr Trump avoided direct confrontation and often sought to downplay Mr Putin’s actions.

“I made it clear to President Putin, in a manner very different from my predecessor, that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions - interfering with our election, cyber attacks, poisoning its citizens - are over,” said Mr Biden.

“We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia and defend our vital interests and our people. And we will be more effective in dealing with Russia where we work in coalition and coordination with other like-minded partners.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday: “This is very aggressive, unconstructive rhetoric, to our regret.

“Any hints of ultimatums are unacceptable to us. We have already said that we won’t pay attention to any lecturing announcements.”

He said the Kremlin hoped however that there could still be useful dialogue between Russia and the US when their interests coincided.

In his first call with Mr Putin last week, the US president also warned Mr Putin about election meddling and ongoing opposition protests in Russia, according to the White House.

Russia has denied interfering in US elections or poisoning Mr Navalny, who was jailed this week by a Moscow court for three and a half years for breaching terms of parol relating to an old fraud conviction.

The two countries also discussed the New Start treaty, which limits the amounts of warheads, missiles and launchers in both countries’ nuclear arsenals.

Both sides agreed to extend the treaty, which had been due to expire on 5 February. The agreement came after the Trump administration refused to sign it and talks over extending the expiry date stalled.

Additional reporting by agencies