The Controversial Visits of Putin: Ridicule, Heckling, and Threats.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby ridiculed Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the captured Ukrainian city of Mariupol, saying the Russian despot has to be aware of how badly he's botched the invasion. Kirby noted that the coastal city of Mariupol was far from the front lines of the fighting in Ukraine, where troops have been holding off Russian invaders. Kirby's comments coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the Kremlin Monday. The NSC spokesman called on the Chinese leader to press his Russian counterpart "to halt the war crimes and atrocities and to withdraw his troops."