WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange slapped down a New York Times reporter and issued a blistering critique of the publication on Wednesday after being pressed repeatedly on whether his organization is secretly in cahoots with Russia.

The exchange came in a video interview between the Times' Jo Becker and Assange. "To the extent that certain leaks benefit other countries, I'm thinking particularly ... Russia, is that a coincidence?" Becker asked during one extended line of questioning on the issue. "Sorry, say that again?" Assange replied.

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"I'm saying that if certain leaks benefit certain countries, for instance — " Becker attempted to respond before Assange cut her off. "This is absurd. This is like saying the New York Times publishes something ... 'Is Putin going to use it as a talking point?' Ridiculous.

"What kind of consideration is that to take into account if you have a mission to publish the press documents from whistleblowers and others to educate the public?" Assange asked. "You obviously can't be second-guessing yourself at an editorial level like that."

Assange asked Becker if the Times would have published information leaked from the Democratic National Committee. "Would you? Would you, the New York Times, having received information about the election, saying the DNC leaks, not publish it, or suspend it until after the election?"

Becker demurred, blaming a reader for the question about Russia. "Well, that's a reader's question. I think what I was getting at is that you would in fact prioritize those documents that come about an election, because you feel it's important to publish while voters are making a decision. Is that correct?"

Assange asked again whether the Times would publish the information, after which Becker admitted that she wasn't sure. "Well, I noticed you dodged the question there. Would the New York Times publish the DNC leaks?"

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"Well, we've certainly written about the DNC leaks. I mean, I can't speak for the entire newspaper," Becker responded.

"I would hope very much that the New York Times would. I think, probably, it would publish some stories, it might not do others. It has after all editorially endorsed one of the candidates and not the other," Assange said in reference to the paper's support for Hillary Clinton.

"Obviously, whistleblowers and whatever source comes to you with whatever motivation, they're not going to go to all that effort just to have you sit on that material and let it rot," Assange added.