Putin backs Harris in U.S. election

Russian President Vladimir Putin was Speaking at an economic forum in the far-eastern city of Vladivostok on Thursday; asked about the upcoming U.S. election, Putin said it was ultimately “the choice of the American people” but that Russia backed Harris, the Democratic nominee.

His intervention comes less than 24 hours after the Justice, State, and Treasury departments announced sanctions and criminal charges in what the Biden administration said were Russian government-sponsored attempts to manipulate U.S. public opinion ahead of the November vote.

“I told you, our favorite, if I may say so, was the current president, Mr. Biden,” Putin said with a smirk on his face. “He was removed from the race, but he advised all his supporters to support Ms. Harris. So we will do it as well, we will root for her,” he said, to applause from the audience. 

“Secondly, she has such an expressive and infectious laugh that it means she is doing well,” Putin said, speaking of Harris.

“And if she is doing well, then … Trump introduced so many restrictions and sanctions against Russia, like no other president had ever introduced before him. And if Ms. Harris is doing well, perhaps she will refrain from doing anything like that,” he said.

The comments, dripping with sarcasm, will likely be dismissed by the White House and the Harris campaign. Former President Donald Trump is widely seen as the Kremlin’s preferred candidate. Trump has often been complimentary of Putin and has promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, raising concerns that he would force Kyiv into a peace agreement on Russia’s terms.