White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to comment on whether US President Joe Biden's remarks about his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were a metaphor.

Earlier, in response to a question from the media as to whether he considered his Russian counterpart a killer, Biden had said yes. He also had said that Putin would be held accountable for—allegedly—interfering in the US election.

"I don’t have anything more for you to provide analysis on that," Psaki said at Wednesday’s press briefing when asked if Biden's was talking literally or metaphorically in that regard.

Psaki added that Biden had previously stated that he “does not hold back on his concerns” in expressing his position, neither in direct contact with the Russian leadership, nor in making public assessments.