Putin's Endorsement of Kamala Harris Adds a New Twist to the 2024 Election

Thursday 05 September 2024 - 13:45

In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared his support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. This announcement comes amidst ongoing allegations of Russian interference in the 2024 election cycle, a claim Moscow has firmly denied.

Speaking at an economic forum in Vladivostok, Putin explained that his endorsement was influenced by current President Joe Biden’s recommendation for voters to back Harris. "Since President Biden has advised his supporters to support Kamala Harris, we will support her as well," Putin stated.

Additionally, Putin complimented Harris on her expressive and contagious laughter, noting it as a sign of her well-being. He contrasted her with former President Donald Trump, accusing Trump of imposing more sanctions on Russia than any of his predecessors.

The Kremlin’s stance on Harris might be an attempt to influence public perception, considering the U.S. accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 election, which allegedly favored Trump. In response to these concerns, U.S. authorities have recently imposed sanctions and launched investigations targeting Russian media outlets, including RT.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed these measures as part of a pre-election information campaign designed to shape public opinion as the electoral season progresses.

The U.S. Department of Justice has not specified whether these alleged interferences are intended to benefit the Democratic or Republican side. Justice Secretary Merrick Garland indicated that U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia’s preferences have not shifted from the previous election, suggesting a continued inclination towards Trump.

This unexpected endorsement from Putin adds another layer of intrigue to the already charged political atmosphere leading up to the November election.