By James Myers, OAN Staff
Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:12 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States.
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Thursday's announcement came after Putin was asked about the U.S. elections at the Eastern Economic Forum, which he was attending in eastern Russia.
Appearing to be grinning along with the event's hosts, Kremlin stated that ultimately it was up to the American people to decide, but that as President Joe Biden has endorsed Harris, “we will support her as well.”
“She laughs expressively and contagiously, so that means all is well with her,” he added.
Putin's comments came less than a day after the Justice Department accused Russia of engaging in a plot to influence the upcoming election with pro-Russian propaganda.
Furthermore, left-wing mainstream media networks CNN and USA Today Now they are trying to treat Putin's comments as a joke. CNN On Thursday, he shared an article titled “Vladimir Putin 'endorses' Kamala Harris to stoke US presidential election.” USA TodayThe headline of the article on Thursday was “Putin Jokingly Endorses Harris as U.S. Accuses Russia of Further Election Interference.”
Putin, meanwhile, supported Biden before dropping out of the race earlier this year, saying he preferred him to Trump because he was a more “predictable” candidate.
But according to Rebecca Koffler, a former DIA spy and author of “The Putin Playbook,” “Russians aren't supporting anyone in the traditional sense.”
“In terms of preferences, President Putin and his administration have prioritized Kamala as a future president of the United States,” Kofler said. Fox News Digital“Putin believes he can easily manipulate Harris, unlike Trump, who Russia has described as unpredictable and hard to read.”
“By making these statements, Russia is only trying to embarrass us, especially the Harris team,” Kofler added. “This is a classic influence tactic to taunt, tease, flatter, or even confuse someone by appearing to flatter them.”
Despite these comments, US intelligence agencies continue to insist Putin wants Trump to be re-elected, according to reports earlier this year.
Putin's support for the Democratic candidate goes against his policy direction in Russia, but Russia denies any influence over the U.S. election.
Additionally, NATO leaders remain concerned by President Trump's plans to withdraw US troops from Europe, a move some fear could signal a major shift in the alliance.
Trump also claims he has a plan to end the war if re-elected.
Putin insisted on Thursday he was open to peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying “if Ukraine wants to continue negotiations, we can do so.”
The Kremlin's comments reverse previous statements it made after the invasion of Kursk in Ukraine that said such a move was not a possibility.
Putin said Brazil, India and China could act as middlemen for the talks.
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