Russian President Vladimir Putin made a sarcastic remark on Thursday, offering his “support” for U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Putin’s comments came amid ongoing allegations from the Biden administration that Russia is attempting to interfere in the U.S. election and sow discord, though the effectiveness of these efforts remains in question.
During an appearance at an economic forum in southeast Russia, Putin joked that he initially backed President Joe Biden before he was “removed” from the race and now supports Harris, citing her expressive laughter. “I said that our ‘favorite,’ if I may say so, was the incumbent President Mr. Biden. He was removed from the race, but he recommended that all his supporters support Ms. Harris. So we will do the same, we will support her,” Putin said.
Read: Russia Turns To India, Serbia, And China To Circumvent Western Sanctions
Putin continued mockingly referencing Harris’s laughter: “She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her. And if everything is fine with her — then Trump has introduced so many restrictions and sanctions against Russia that no president has ever introduced before — and if everything is fine with Ms. Harris, then maybe she will refrain from such actions of this kind.”
In the past, Putin has preferred Biden, describing him as a “more experienced, predictable person” and an “old school” politician, which he viewed as advantageous.
Russia has been a focal point in U.S. political discourse, with both Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of links to Moscow. On Wednesday, the Biden administration’s Department of Justice accused Russia of targeting American citizens with propaganda and disinformation in an attempt to influence the election.
Read: Russian President Putin Warns U.S. Over Long-Range Missile Deployment In Germany
These allegations echo the controversy surrounding the 2016 election, when former President Donald Trump was accused of colluding with Russia, though no concrete evidence was ever found to substantiate those claims.
The accusations stemmed from the widely debunked Steele Dossier, an intelligence file compiled by a political firm working against Trump.
The Harris campaign has not yet commented on Putin’s remarks.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.