MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday decried what he referred to as Joe Biden’s “sharp anti-Russian rhetoric” however praised the Democratic presidential nominee’s feedback on arms management.
In his first detailed statements on the U.S. presidential marketing campaign, Putin additionally lamented President Donald Trump’s failure to enhance relations between Moscow and Washington, however blamed this on a “bipartisan consensus on the necessity to include Russia, to curb our nation’s growth.”
Putin’s feedback, to Russian state tv, appeared meant to serve a number of functions: taking part in to Trump’s facet by casting the Democrats in a pro-Moscow gentle, whereas on the identical time hedging his bets by flirting with Biden’s camp in case he wins.
He stated Biden’s reference to Trump in final week’s debate as “Putin’s pet” was actually a praise to Russia and “truly enhances our status, as a result of they’re speaking about our unbelievable affect and energy.”
Russia-U.S. relations have sunk to post-Chilly Warfare lows over Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea, the Russian meddling within the 2016 U.S. presidential election and different points. Final month, Microsoft stated that the identical Russian navy intelligence outfit that hacked the Democrats has tried comparable intrusions into the pc techniques of greater than 200 organizations, together with political events and consultants.
Whereas Putin once more denied meddling within the U.S. election, U.S. intelligence officers imagine Russia is utilizing a wide range of measures to denigrate Biden and that people linked to the Kremlin are boosting Trump’s reelection bid.
Biden has been important of Russia all through the marketing campaign and relationship again to his time as vice chairman, and the Kremlin chief took word of his “sharp anti-Russian rhetoric,” saying it was one thing “we regrettably have grown accustomed to.”
However Putin additionally praised Biden for declaring an intention to increase the New START arms management treaty that expires in February. The U.S.-Russian talks on extending the pact have produced no seen progress, and Russian diplomats stated that probabilities for making a cope with the Trump administration look slim.
“It is a very critical ingredient of our potential collaboration sooner or later,” Putin stated, talking on his 68th birthday. He added that Russia could be able to work with any future U.S. president.
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