Russian President Vladimir Putin made headlines on Thursday with a teasing comment that he supports U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, citing her "infectious" laugh as a reason for his preference. The remark, delivered with a smile during a forum in Vladivostok, came just a day after the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges against two Russian media executives over an alleged illegal scheme to influence the 2024 U.S. election through pro-Russian propaganda.
Putin's comments appeared to be a mix of irony and calculated rhetoric, as he has previously made similarly tongue-in-cheek statements about his preferences in U.S. elections. Earlier this year, he had remarked that President Joe Biden was Russia's preferred candidate because he was a more predictable "old school" politician. However, U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Moscow likely prefers former President Donald Trump, who is perceived as less committed to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
During his address at the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin reiterated that the decision ultimately lies with the American electorate. "It is the choice of the American people, and we will respect that choice," he said. However, with a smirk, he added, "Since Biden has recommended his supporters back Harris, we will do the same. We will support her." The comment drew applause from the audience, further emphasizing the playful tone of his remarks.
Putin went on to elaborate, saying, "She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means everything is fine with her." He quipped that this might be an indicator that Harris would refrain from imposing further sanctions on Russia-a clear reference to the ongoing economic tensions between the two nations.
In contrast, Putin pointed out that Trump, during his presidency, had introduced more sanctions against Russia than any other U.S. leader before him. This assertion, while intended to be factual, carries a layer of irony given the widespread perception that Trump was unusually friendly towards the Kremlin.
The backdrop to Putin's comments is the continuing tension between the U.S. and Russia over election interference. U.S. intelligence agencies have previously concluded that Russia ran a disinformation campaign to bolster Trump's 2016 presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton. The Kremlin has consistently denied these allegations, although Yevgeny Prigozhin, a late Russian businessman and founder of the Wagner mercenary group, openly boasted in 2022 about Russia's interference in U.S. elections, stating, "We have interfered, we are interfering, and we will continue to interfere."
Just a day before Putin's remarks, the U.S. Department of Justice filed money-laundering charges against two employees of the Russian state broadcaster RT, accusing them of orchestrating a scheme to hire a U.S. company to produce online content aimed at influencing the 2024 election. The charges are part of a broader investigation into Russian efforts to sway American public opinion.
In response to the U.S. allegations, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that Moscow would retaliate by targeting U.S. media outlets operating in Russia. This tit-for-tat dynamic further underscores the strained relations between the two countries as the U.S. heads into another contentious election cycle.
Putin's latest comments, while seemingly light-hearted, are likely to add fuel to the ongoing debate over foreign influence in U.S. elections. With both Trump and Harris positioned as key figures in the 2024 race, the Kremlin's involvement-whether through rhetoric or more covert means-remains a focal point of concern for U.S. officials and voters alike. As the election approaches, the intersection of international relations and domestic politics will continue to be scrutinized, with Putin's words serving as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play.
