Biden called Russian president “murderous dictator” and “pure thug”

US President Joe Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "murderous dictator" and a "pure thug."

He said this speaking on Thursday at an event dedicated to St. Patrick's Day, CNN reports.

At the annual dinner of friends of Ireland on Capitol Hill, Biden called Putin "a murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine."

Ireland, supporting sanctions against Russia and Ukraine, Biden said, was "part of the reason the cost is going so high."

"A neutral country, Ireland has stepped up, and they're taking the hit for what they're doing," he said.