The Kremlin  expressed concern after US President Joe Biden called the Russian leader Vladimir Putin a “butcher” over his military operation in Ukraine.

“This is a statement that is certainly alarming,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that Moscow will “continue closely monitoring” statements of the US president.

“We will continue closely monitoring statements of the US president,” Peskov added.

During a visit to Poland on Saturday, Biden dubbed Putin “a butcher” who “cannot remain in power”.

The White House later scrambled to deny he was seeking “regime change” in Moscow, while the Kremlin said Biden’s words could harm bilateral relations.