First Official Statement on US Presidential Election
Biden Refrains from Commenting on Age Controversy
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the view that it would be more advantageous for Russia if President Joe Biden wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election rather than former President Donald Trump, drawing attention to the background of this statement. Security experts, however, believe that from Russia's actual standpoint, it would be much more beneficial if former President Trump were elected, and they see Putin's remarks as more likely to be strategic propaganda.
According to Russia's Sputnik News on the 15th (local time), President Putin appeared on the state-run Rossiya 1 broadcast the previous night and, when asked in an interview "Who is better for us between Trump and Biden?" he answered "Biden."
President Putin said, "Biden is a more experienced and more predictable old-school politician," adding, "However, we will cooperate with any American president whom the American people trust." This is the first time President Putin has publicly mentioned his preference regarding the November U.S. presidential election candidates.
Regarding concerns raised inside and outside the U.S. about President Biden's advanced age, Putin said, "I am not a doctor, so I will refrain from making any statements related to that," and added, "I have not found any evidence that Biden is unfit to perform the duties of the presidency."
As President Putin continued to make generally supportive remarks about President Biden, interpretations of his true intentions have become divided. Analyses range from the possibility of a candid expression of opinion to strategic propaganda, or that his friendly remarks are related to negotiations with the U.S. over the Ukraine war.
However, security experts mostly view these remarks as closer to strategic propaganda. They believe that the scenario of former President Trump winning the U.S. election is much more favorable from Russia's perspective. Former President Trump has expressed opposition to supporting Ukraine and stated that he would immediately pursue peace negotiations after taking office, continuing to make pro-Russian statements.
Additionally, during his tenure, former President Trump showcased a close relationship with President Putin, often referred to as a "bromance." There were also allegations that Russia conducted political interference to help Trump, then the Republican candidate, win the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
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