Erdogan said Biden’s comments were\u00a0“not fitting of a president”<\/strong>\u00a0and are\u00a0“unacceptable”\u00a0<\/strong>on the world stage.\u00a0“Mr Biden\u2019s comment about Putin does not suit a head of state,”<\/strong>\u00a0Erdogan told reporters<\/a>\u00a0after Friday prayers in Istanbul.<\/p>\n He then praised Putin for giving a “smart” and “classy response” after Putin made the case on state TV that Biden was engaged in mere psychological projection. Putin\u00a0quipped<\/a>\u00a0of the “killer” slur that it “takes one to know one.” He also wished the US president “good health”.<\/p>\n The Russian leader had also challenged Biden to a live TV debate, which of course the White House shrugged off, saying the two leaders would eventually talk “when the time is right”.<\/p>\n Ankara and Washington’s relationship is at its lowest point in years, due in large part to Turkey’s procurement of the Russian S-400 anti-air defense system, which drew condemnation from NATO leadership and Brussels.<\/p>\n Despite Turkey being NATO’s second largest military, it was cut off from the US F-35 program over the move, with the US worried its advanced fighter jet would be left vulnerable to Russian spying and infiltration of its systems.<\/p>\n Biden has also vowed to get tough on Turkey, after it was perceived that Trump had an unusually warm relationship with Erdogan, and batted down Congressional moves to push sanctions.\u00a0Biden has yet to hold a phone call with Erdogan since taking office.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zh-prod-1cc738ca-7d3b-4a72-b792-20bd8d8fa069.storage.googleapis.com\/s3fs-public\/styles\/inline_image_mobile\/public\/inline-images\/putinanderd.jpg?itok=qsumzgUy\")