US: "Stop Making Statements About Our Election"
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he supports Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election this November. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate running against Vice President Harris in the election, responded by saying, "I don't know if it's an insult or a favor," while the White House in the U.S. opposed the statement, demanding "Stop interfering in the election."
According to RIA Novosti on the 5th (local time), President Putin said during the main session discussion of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held in Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia, "We have said before that the candidate we prefer is the current President Joe Biden," adding, "However, since he is not running and has asked his supporters to back Vice President Harris, we will do the same." Putin then laughed and said, "Harris's abundant and 'contagious' laughter means she is doing well."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, evaluated that more sanctions were imposed on Russia than by any other president. Putin said, "If Harris is 'doing well,' she will refrain from such actions." He also added, "The new president of the United States is chosen by the American people," and "Russia will respect the choice of the American people."
This remark was considered somewhat unexpected. Russia has repeatedly stated that it does not interfere in the U.S. presidential election, and there was analysis that President Putin would prefer a victory for former President Trump.
According to USA Today and others, former President Trump said in a speech at the New York Economic Club, "Putin supported Kamala today," adding, "I don't know exactly what to say about this. I don't know if he insulted me or if he did me a favor." The tabloid New York Post interpreted Trump's comment as a joke about Putin's support for Harris.
The U.S. government immediately condemned Putin's remarks as an attempt to interfere in the election and demanded that he stop commenting on the U.S. presidential election. Notably, this statement came just one day after the Russian state broadcaster RT was sanctioned by the U.S. government for attempting to influence the U.S. election.
John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Coordinator, said at a briefing that day, "Putin needs to stop commenting on our election," adding, "He should not prefer anyone on either side." He continued, "The only people who decide who the next U.S. president will be are the American people," and said, "We would really appreciate it if Putin would stop talking about the (U.S.) election and cease interference."
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