Vladimir Putin has recently disclosed that Donald Trump once reprimanded him for appearing to support Joe Biden during his presidency.
Speaking in an interview with the RIA state news agency and Rossiya-1 state television channel, the Russian president addressed his perceived influence on the 2024 U.S. election campaign, where both current and former American presidents have mentioned him in their speeches.
During the interview, Dmitry Kiselyov, a Kremlin propagandist appointed by Putin to lead the state-controlled media group Rossiya Segodnya, hinted that Putin’s recent remarks favoring Biden had added “fuel to the fire.” Putin had previously stated in February that Biden’s leadership would be preferable for Russia due to his experience and predictability, prompting speculation and reactions from Kremlin propagandists.
Putin and Trump (Credits: The Guardian)
Responding to Kiselyov’s remarks, Putin reiterated Russia’s non-interference policy in elections, stating, “We do not interfere in any elections.” He emphasized that Russia would work with any leader chosen by the American people.
Putin then recounted an encounter with Trump during his final year as president when Trump reproached him for appearing to support Biden, asking Putin, “Do you want Sleepy Joe to win?” Putin expressed surprise at subsequent accusations that Russia supported Trump, labeling such claims as “complete nonsense.”
Expressing concern over the uncivilized nature of the U.S. election campaign, Putin criticized the American political system’s claim to full democracy.
In a shift of topic, Kiselyov raised the issue of Russia’s preparedness for nuclear war, suggesting that readiness could deter such a conflict. Putin responded affirmatively, highlighting Russia’s advanced nuclear capabilities across land-based missiles, submarines, and aircraft, known as the nuclear triad.
The interview precedes Russia’s tightly controlled presidential election, scheduled to begin on Friday, with Putin expected to secure a significant majority.
