Vladivostok — In a surprising and politically charged declaration, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The endorsement, made during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, marks a significant shift from Russia’s earlier preference for President Joe Biden, who withdrew from the race in July.
Putin’s comments reflect a broader strategic maneuver as Russia navigates its complex relationship with the United States. The Russian leader acknowledged Biden as Russia’s previous “favorite,” a term used loosely in the context of international relations. However, with Biden’s exit from the race and his subsequent endorsement of Harris, Putin stated that Russia would follow suit and support the Vice President.
“I told you our favorite, if you can call it that, was the current President Mr. Biden. He was removed from the race, but he recommended all his supporters to support Ms. Harris. So we will do the same. We will support her,” Putin declared. He emphasized, “Ultimately, the choice is up to the American people, and we will respect that choice.”
Putin’s comments also included an unusual personal assessment of Harris, noting her “expressive and infectious” laughter as a positive sign of her well-being. The Russian President contrasted Harris with former President Donald Trump, who had imposed a series of stringent sanctions and restrictions against Russia. Putin suggested that Harris might take a different approach if she performs well, though this remains speculative at best.
The Kremlin had previously been cautious regarding Harris’ candidacy. In July, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that while Harris had made statements critical of Russia, her actions did not significantly impact bilateral relations. “At the moment, we cannot assess the potential candidacy of Ms. Harris from the point of view of our bilateral relations because, so far, her contribution to our bilateral relations has not been noticed,” Peskov said.
Putin, who has often praised former President Trump, had described Biden earlier this year as “more experienced, more predictable” compared to Trump. “He’s a politician of the old formation,” Putin said of Biden, expressing a willingness to work with any U.S. leader whom the American people choose.
The U.S. National Security Council promptly responded to Putin’s remarks. National security spokesman John Kirby urged Putin to “stay out of our elections,” reflecting a broader American sentiment that external endorsements are unwelcome and could be counterproductive.
Russian state media outlet Sputnik suggested that Putin’s remarks were a form of political provocation aimed at the Democratic Party, referring to the endorsement as an instance of “trolling.” Similarly, BBC News’ Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg highlighted the Kremlin’s awareness of the negative connotations associated with public endorsements by Moscow in U.S. politics.
“The Kremlin will know very well that these days any public endorsement by Moscow for a U.S. presidential candidate will do that candidate no favors in an election,” Rosenberg commented, noting that Russia’s strategic moves often carry multiple layers of meaning.
As the U.S. presidential election approaches on November 5, 2024, the implications of international endorsements and their impact on American voters remain uncertain.
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