President Joe Biden has just been unexpectedly endorsed by the Kremlin, a source that might not be welcomed by all.
In an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on February 14th, 2024, that his country would rather see the “more experienced” Biden in the White House for a second term than the Republican front-runner, former President Donald Trump. These comments, which could be viewed more as mischievous meddling than serious statecraft, represent Putin’s most direct public remarks on the upcoming United States presidential election to date.
When asked whether Biden or Trump would be better for Russia, Putin responded with “Biden.” “He is a more experienced, predictable individual, an old school politician.” However, Putin added that Moscow is prepared to collaborate with any US leader who has the trust of the American people. The interview video was shared by Zarubin on his Telegram channel, and a transcript was published on the Kremlin’s website. During the interview, Putin also addressed speculation regarding Biden’s mental acuity, stating he did not have the authority to comment on the issue. “People were already saying then that he wasn’t up to it. I didn’t see anything of the kind,” Putin remarked. The White House responded to Putin’s intervention on Thursday morning. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates stated, “Mr. Putin should stay out of America’s elections.”
Biden has consistently criticized Putin, previously referring to him as a “killer,” “murderous dictator,” and “pure thug.” He also spearheaded the Western response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including imposing severe economic sanctions.
In contrast, Trump has often praised Putin as a strong leader. A Senate intelligence report found “extensive” Russian interference in the 2016 election, which Trump won. The former president raised concerns in Europe after saying that he would encourage Russia to “do whatever the hell they want.” The Republican front-runner stood by his remarks at a rally on the night of February 21st. He also responded to Putin’s preference for Biden, labeling it a “great compliment” and adding that “Putin is not a fan of mine,” implying that Putin’s stance indicates a favorable contrast between himself and his opponent.
Putin has previously blamed NATO and its eastward expansion for his attack on Ukraine. Biden has pledged unwavering support for America’s NATO allies and accused Trump of “bowing down to a Russian dictator.” In the interview, Putin mentioned that Trump has always been viewed as a “non-systemic politician” with “his own views” on how the US should develop relations with its allies.
All in all, the Kremlin’s unexpected endorsement of President Joe Biden adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming US election. Additionally, it draws further attention to the differing approaches to diplomacy and national security between the two prime candidates—that is, Trump and Biden—something which is sure to affect America’s standing on the global stage.
