Russian President Vladimir Putin has thrown his support behind U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November 2024. Putin made the declaration just a day after two Russian media executives were charged by the U.S. Justice Department over an alleged scheme to influence the election through pro-Russian propaganda.
During his statement, Putin remarked that President Joe Biden, before announcing his withdrawal from the race, had urged his supporters to back Harris. In a seemingly ironic gesture, Putin stated, “We will do the same, and we will support her.”
This marks a shift in Russia’s previous stance on U.S. politics, as Putin acknowledged that while former President Donald Trump had been vocal about improving U.S.-Russia relations, he had actually imposed more sanctions on Russia than any of his predecessors.
Putin’s backing comes amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, especially concerning accusations of election interference, adding a layer of complexity to the already charged political atmosphere leading up to the U.S. election.