Putin is endorsing the weaker candidate.
President Joe Biden received an unexpected endorsement from an unlikely source: the Kremlin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday that his preference for the White House’s occupant in a second term leaned towards the “more experienced” Biden rather than the Republican front-runner, former President Donald Trump.
Putin’s remarks, which might be construed more as mischievous interference rather than serious diplomatic engagement, represented his most direct public commentary on the forthcoming U.S. presidential election. While Trump welcomed these comments, the White House promptly dismissed them, urging Putin to refrain from meddling in the election process.
In an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, released on Wednesday evening, Putin unhesitatingly expressed his opinion when asked about the suitability of Biden or Trump for Russia’s interests. “Biden,” Putin asserted, citing him as “a more experienced, predictable person, an old-school politician.” However, Putin clarified that Moscow is prepared to collaborate with any U.S. leader who garners the trust of the American populace.
The interview video was shared on Zarubin’s Telegram channel, with the transcript of Putin’s statements subsequently published on the Kremlin’s website.
Putin also addressed speculation regarding Biden’s mental acuity, asserting that he lacked the authority to comment on the matter. He noted that during their 2021 meeting in Geneva, he did not observe any notable issues concerning Biden’s mental state.
The White House swiftly responded to Putin’s remarks on Thursday morning, with spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasizing that “Mr. Putin should stay out of America’s elections.”
Biden has previously been vocal in his criticism of Putin, labeling him a “killer,” “murderous dictator,” and “pure thug.” His administration has taken a firm stance against Putin’s aggression, particularly in response to the invasion of Ukraine, implementing robust economic sanctions and providing significant military aid to Ukraine.
In contrast, Trump has often praised Putin’s leadership style. A Senate intelligence report highlighted extensive Russian interference in the 2016 election that saw Trump emerge victorious.
Trump’s recent comments suggesting leniency towards Russia regarding NATO obligations have raised concerns in Europe. He stood by these remarks and responded to Putin’s endorsement of Biden by viewing it as a compliment, remarking that “Putin is not a fan of mine.”
Putin’s perspective on U.S. leadership reflects his perception of Trump as a “non-systemic politician” with a distinct approach to international relations. However, he emphasized in a previous interview that the personality of the leader matters less than the prevailing mood among elites in shaping relations with Russia.
