Biden criticizes reporter asking about threat of war with Russia: 'Be quiet'

President Joe Biden on Friday scolded a journalist who asked a question about the potential conflict with Russia if Ukraine started launching long-range strikes with the support of the West.

“I say you be quiet until I speak," Biden said to a reporter during a meeting, according to the New York Post. "Okay? That’s what I say. Good idea?”

“But what do you say to Vladimir Putin’s threat of war, sir?" the British journalist asked. "It’s a serious threat.”

“You’ve got to be quiet,” the president answered. “I’m going to make a statement here, okay?”

Top Russian officials warned that if Ukraine started launching long-range strikes with the support of the West, the response won't "be pretty."

Biden later said during the meeting that he "doesn't think much about Vladimir Putin."

Western leaders have had discussions this week about whether or not they would allow Kyiv to use weapons supplied by the West to hit targets deep inside Russia.