US presidential candidate Donald Trump said on September 7 that he was "very offended" by Russian President Vladimir Putin's "support" for his rival Kamala Harris, the Kiev Independent reported.
In an apparently caustic comment, the Kremlin leader said on September 5 that US President Joe Biden was his "favorite" for the upcoming presidential race, but since Biden had dropped out, Putin would "support" Harris.
Putin's comments came shortly after the US announced sweeping measures to combat Russian interference in the US election. And Moscow has previously been accused of using disinformation campaigns and similar means to back Trump against Hillary Clinton and Biden in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
"No American president has been tougher on Russia than I have," Trump announced at a rally in Wisconsin, repeating his claims that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he were president.
The prospect of Trump's re-election has caused concern in Ukraine, as signals from his inner circle suggest he may try to pressure Kiev into conceding territory and other concessions to make peace. Concerns only grew after the former president picked J.D. Vance, an Ohio senator who has been an outspoken critic of aid to Ukraine, as his vice-presidential nominee.
Trump has repeatedly praised Putin, while the Russian president said last September that Trump could resolve the war in Ukraine "in a matter of days." The former U.S. president claimed he would end the war within 24 hours without specifying the steps needed to achieve that goal.
In turn, Biden positioned the US as the leading military donor to Ukraine and spearheaded sanctions against Moscow. Yet his administration has been criticized for its fragmented and restrictive support strategy. | BGNES
