MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — In an unexpected move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming US presidential election, a remark made during a question and answer session at Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. This declaration comes on the heels of fresh indictments by the United States accusing Moscow of meddling in American elections.
Putin, known for frequently making sardonic comments about US politics, assured his audience with a wry smile, “Firstly, (US President Joe) Biden recommended all his supporters support Mrs. Harris…Here, we are going to do that too, we’re going to support her.” He praised Harris’s infectious laugh, suggesting it as evidence that she is in good spirits.
US President Joe Biden, who withdrew from the race in July citing concerns over his age and health, had endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s candidate. This twist adds another dimension to ongoing geopolitical frictions, particularly with the backdrop of numerous allegations and counter-allegations of election meddling.
“Trump has imposed as many sanctions on Russia as any president has ever imposed before,” Putin noted. He hinted that if Harris were to win, she might avoid such actions in the future. Previously, in February, Putin had expressed a preference for Biden over Trump, citing his “predictability,” which had elicited a stern response from the White House urging him to “stay out” of US politics.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions over recent US sanctions on Russian media figures. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities, including RTR editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and her deputy Elizaveta Brodskaia. These measures were condemned by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which labeled the accusations as a strategic misinformation campaign designed to influence the electoral landscape.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the ministry, minced no words in her response, suggesting a severe retaliatory measure was in the works. “It is an obvious operation…an information campaign… that was long prepared and that is needed ahead of the last stage of the electoral cycle,” Zakharova commented to state news agency RIA Novosti.
Despite the Kremlin’s official stance that the outcome of the US elections will not alter the course of the Ukraine conflict, Putin’s remarks are likely to exacerbate suspicions of his preference for a candidate sympathetic to Russian interests. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly lauded Putin while pledging to resolve the Ukraine conflict within “24 hours” if re-elected. Putin has acknowledged Trump’s comments on ending the hostilities and dismissed Trump’s legal troubles in the US as “persecution.”
These developments add layers to the already intricate dynamics of US-Russia relations, particularly as the American electorate prepares to cast their votes. The ongoing debate over foreign interference, coupled with high-stakes media propaganda and enforcement measures, paints a complex portrait of international political maneuvering.
Amidst these tensions, US media outlets have also scaled down operations in Russia following the Ukraine offensive, an indication of deteriorating freedom of the press under the strain of geopolitical strife. As the US election draws near, the interplay of these influences will undoubtedly remain a focal point of both domestic and international discourse.
