Russian President Vladimir Putin shocked many today when he publicly declared his support for Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin said with a smirk:
“President Joe Biden was our favorite. Since he encouraged his people to back Kamala, Russia is doing the same.”
He even joked about Kamala’s laughter, calling it “infectious,” and hinted that her being in good spirits might soften U.S. policies towards Russia. This drew immediate attention, especially given the tension between the two countries right now.
The Biden administration recently indicted two employees of Russia Today (RT), a state-funded media outlet, for allegedly being part of a disinformation campaign aimed at influencing American voters.
Putin’s game plan or just a joke?
In a climate where foreign interference is a hot-button issue, a nod from Putin might actually hurt Harris, making her look like she’s cozying up to Russia, a perception that could alienate voters.
On the other hand, Putin’s unpredictable behavior could be his way of keeping everyone guessing, especially those who might assume he’d favor Trump due to their past interactions.
If Kamala wins, her administration would likely continue the Biden administration’s harsh treatment of Russia. Kamala has been a strong advocate for NATO and has backed every single aid package sent to Ukraine.
As you can see in the video above, Putin’s playful tone during the endorsement clearly tells us he’s not taking Kamala seriously, but the reality is actually a lot more complicated.
Russia has a lot to lose if America tightens the screws further, especially in areas like energy exports where sanctions have already done so much damage.
For years, Putin and Trump have had a strange relationship. It started back in 2013 when the former president tweeted about hoping to meet Putin during the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, calling it an opportunity to become “new best friends.”
Over the years, Trump often spoke warmly about Putin, calling him “a strong leader,” and even admiring his ability to “outsmart” the U.S. However, this strange bromance hit a few bumps along the way.
During his presidency, Trump imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia, targeting everything from energy to defense, which wasn’t exactly what Putin had in mind.
Trump also approved military exercises in the Baltics, and sanctioned Russian officials, including Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. But despite these measures, the politician continued to express a desire to improve relations with Putin, often contradicting everyone else during his administration.
