Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Despite stagnation and a series of recent reverses—Ukraine, economy, geopolitics, etc.—Russian President Vladimir Putin, 71, has managed to laugh at the bete noire, relish the campaign of the main contenders during the ongoing presidential elections, and the discomfiture of the White House!
Irritated, the White House called Thursday on Putin to “stop interfering” in US elections after he wryly said he backs Kamala Harris—and not Donald Trump, who has, ironically, admired him, the media reported.
Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump had even boasted he would stop the Russia-Ukraine war if voted to power in the November 2024 elections.
Sensing the possible outcome of the elections, Putin, however, did not take Trump’s admiration and ‘supported’ Harris instead.
“The only people who should get to determine who the next President of the United States are the American people, and we would greatly appreciate it if Mr. Putin would, (A) stop talking about our election, and (B) stop interfering in it,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Reacting sharply, he said, “Mr Putin shouldn’t be favoring anybody one way or another.”
Enjoying this discomfiture with a smirk, President Putin, tongue firmly in cheek, said he will support Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, citing her “expressive and infectious” laughter as a sign that she will not impose additional sanctions on Russia.
Addressing an economic forum in Vladivostok, he said he preferred Harris over Trump, citing her “infectious” laugh and suggesting her victory could benefit Russia.
“Our ‘favorite,’ if you can call it that, was the current President (Joe) Biden. But he was removed from the race, and he recommended his supporters to support Harris. Well, we will do so – we will support her,” Putin said, smirking.
“She laughs so expressively and infectiously as if everything is fine with her,” he said, adding that if she were doing well, “perhaps she will refrain” from imposing more sanctions on Russia.
By contrast, Putin was critical of Trump, stating that during his presidency, an unprecedented number of sanctions were slapped on Russia.
“Trump has imposed so many restrictions and sanctions against Russia like no other president has ever introduced before him,” he said.
“Ultimately, the choice is up to the American people, and we will respect that choice,” Putin added.
The Russian premier’s ironic remarks come on the heels of the Biden administration announcing fresh sanctions targeting a Russian ‘disinformation campaign’ aimed at influencing the 2024 US election in Trump’s favor.
This is not the first time Putin has weighed on US presidential candidates. During Trump’s 2016 campaign, Putin praised him as “outstanding” and “talented.”
US intelligence had said that Putin authorized efforts to support Trump’s campaign through hacking and covert social media operations.
Although Putin has previously suggested Biden’s re-election would be preferable due to his “experience” and “predictability,” many US officials believe Moscow still prefers Trump who has admired him (Putin) and suggested cutting aid to Ukraine.
The Kremlin, as in past elections, continues to deny any involvement in US polls.