In a revealing interview broadcasted on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin openly stated his preference for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the forthcoming U.S. presidential race. Putin praised Biden as a “more experienced, predictable person,” aligning him with the traditional political establishment. This comment marks Putin’s first public foray into discussing the highly anticipated 2024 U.S. election, where Biden and Trump are expected to vie for the presidency once again.
During the interview with Pavel Zarubin, Putin emphasized his willingness to collaborate with whichever candidate secures the American electorate’s trust, asserting, “But we will work with any U.S. president who the American people have confidence in.” His intervention comes at a moment of significant strain between the U.S. and Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Donald Trump gestures to his supporters as he heads to court on Friday morning. (REUTERS)
Biden’s leadership has been characterized by a firm stance against Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, including NATO‘s expansion, the implementation of sanctions against Moscow, and substantial aid and weaponry supplied to Kyiv. In contrast, Trump’s tenure and comments have often been perceived as less confrontational towards Putin, sparking debate over his approach to NATO and defense spending obligations.
Putin’s remarks also ventured into sensitive territory regarding Biden’s mental acuity, a subject of considerable speculation. Recounting their meeting in Switzerland three years prior, Putin dismissed concerns over Biden’s cognitive fitness, sharing an anecdote to humanize the U.S. President further.
The Russian leader’s comments are set against his own political backdrop, where he is poised to extend his tenure in power following an election next month—a tenure uninterrupted since 1999. Notably, the U.S. Senate intelligence committee’s report in 2020 found that Russia attempted to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election, aiming to bolster Trump’s campaign against Hillary Clinton.
