During a recent appearance at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia, President Vladimir Putin made comments that seemed to favor U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. When asked about the U.S. elections, Putin smiled and remarked that, like President Biden, he would also support Harris.
Putin added, “She laughs so expressively and infectiously, which means everything is fine with her,” hinting at a playful endorsement.
Earlier in the year, Putin had voiced support for Biden before he exited the race. He noted that Biden was more predictable than former President Trump, which aligned with Putin’s preference for dealing with more foreseeable leadership.
Expert Opinions on Putin’s Influence
Rebekah Koffler, a former intelligence officer and author, commented that Russia’s involvement in foreign elections is less about official endorsements and more about influence tactics. According to Koffler, the Russian regime may see Harris as easier to manipulate than Trump, who is viewed as unpredictable. Koffler stated, “By making these remarks, the Russians are playing games, particularly with Harris’ team, using this as a strategy to throw off their adversary.”
She emphasized that Putin’s comments could be part of a broader influence campaign, aimed at destabilizing political players through mixed signals.
U.S. Intelligence Assessments
Despite these remarks, U.S. intelligence agencies maintain that Putin’s true preference leans towards Trump, who they see as more aligned with Russia’s geopolitical interests. According to past assessments, Russia interfered in the 2016 and 2020 elections with disinformation efforts that supported Trump and undermined confidence in the electoral process. A U.S. intelligence investigation concluded that these operations aimed to weaken the Democratic Party and disrupt social cohesion in the United States.
Russia’s Position on Ukraine and NATO
Trump’s critical stance on U.S. support for Ukraine has been another point of interest for Putin. Trump has suggested he would reduce military involvement in Europe, which has raised concerns among NATO allies about the future of the alliance. Putin, in contrast, has recently expressed openness to peace talks with Ukraine, although previous comments indicated a reluctance for negotiations during ongoing conflicts in Kursk.
Putin has suggested that nations like Brazil, India, or China could mediate in potential talks, though Ukraine might not agree to this given China’s support for Russia.
While Putin’s recent comments appear to support Kamala Harris, experts believe this may be part of a larger strategy to influence U.S. politics. Though the Russian government has denied any involvement in U.S. elections, their past actions and strategic interests suggest otherwise. The 2024 U.S. election will be closely watched, as international leaders, including Putin, make their preferences known.
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL FOR MORE UPDATES
Sources:
- Rebekah Koffler, author of “Putin’s Playbook”
- U.S. Director of National Intelligence Reports
- Reuters Reports
SHARE THIS POST