In the wake of the 2016 election, marked by alleged Russian influence and strengthened ties between former US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, the political world has been closely watching the interactions between these two nations. Throughout Trump's presidency, multiple meetings and handshakes between him and Putin seemed to solidify their connection.
However, Trump's recent campaign praise of Putin as a "genius" and his claim to resolve the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours - in a manner many suspect would reward the Russian invasion - have drawn attention.
Yet, when Putin was asked yesterday about his preference between Republican candidate Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, he delivered an unexpected response.
Without hesitation, Putin chose Biden.
"He is a more experienced and predictable person, a politician of the old school," Putin stated, according to Reuters.
An Enigmatic Answer
This was the first time Putin publicly commented on the American electoral campaign.
"But we will work with any American president whom the American people trust," the President said with a mysterious smile.
Reuters suggests that Putin's comments are likely meant to provoke, given the current global uncertainty and the worst state of US-Russia relations in 60 years.
"Who Hasn't Bumped Their Head?"
The question of Biden's mental health has been a topic of intense speculation in recent weeks.
Putin also offered his perspective on this.
"When I met Biden in Switzerland, although it was several years ago, people already said he was not up to it. I saw nothing of the sort," Putin remarked.
The dictator even referenced a less flattering incident for the president when he hit his head exiting a helicopter last summer.
"Well, which of us hasn't bumped their head somewhere?"
Commenting on NATO Stance
Putin also weighed in on Trump's recent suggestion to ignore defending a NATO country attacked by Russia if it has not fulfilled its financial obligations.
"He has his own view on how relations with allies should develop. From his point of view, there is a certain logic to this, while from the Europeans' point of view, there is no logic at all, and they would like the US to continue performing certain functions for free that they have been doing since the creation of NATO," the Russian leader explained, as per ABC News.
Putin's remarks add a new layer to the complex narrative of US-Russia relations, indicating a preference for stability and predictability in international diplomacy.
