Putin’s Surprising Endorsement of Kamala Harris Raises Eyebrows

WORLD – In an unexpected development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn attention with his recent remarks supporting U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for the presidency. During an address at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin’s words created a stir in U.S. political circles, as he curiously praised Harris while simultaneously taking aim at former President Donald Trump.

“Our ‘favorite,’ if you could call it that, was the current president, Mr. Biden. But he has stepped out of the race and encouraged his supporters to back Ms. Harris. We will do the same,” Putin said. He also added, “She laughs so expressively and infectiously, it must mean she is doing well,” highlighting his peculiar focus on Harris’ demeanor.

In the same breath, Putin criticized Trump, the current Republican nominee, for imposing unprecedented sanctions against Russia during his presidency, calling them harsher than any sanctions introduced before him. These comments come just as the Biden administration announced a new wave of sanctions in response to Russian government-backed disinformation efforts aimed at influencing the 2024 U.S. elections, favoring Trump’s candidacy.

Putin’s Calculated Moves in U.S. Politics

Putin’s comments raise questions about his underlying intentions. Historically, the Russian leader has not shied away from weighing in on U.S. electoral politics. In 2015, he notably praised Trump before he even secured the Republican nomination, calling him a “bright and talented” individual, remarks that many interpreted as meddling in the 2016 presidential race.

Despite his recent words of support for the Democrats, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco revealed that Russian entities, under Putin’s direction, had launched online disinformation campaigns aimed at promoting Trump and the Republican party. Internal documents from one of these companies, as cited by the FBI, confirm that these efforts were crafted to bolster Trump’s candidacy.

While Putin publicly denied involvement in the 2016 Democratic National Committee (DNC) email hack, he showed no hesitation in endorsing the damaging leaks that occurred just before the Democratic National Convention. The revelations in those emails, which exposed preferential treatment of Hillary Clinton within the party, played into Putin’s broader narrative that American democracy is deeply flawed.

A Cynical View of American Politics

Putin’s perspective on American politics, as detailed by Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar in All the Kremlin’s Men, reflects a deep skepticism of democratic ideals. Zygar has pointed out that Putin is an avid fan of House of Cards, the critically acclaimed television series known for its portrayal of power struggles in Washington. According to Zygar, Putin regards the show as a guide to U.S. politics, illustrating his belief that real power resides not in democratic values, but in backroom deals and shadowy alliances.

In this light, Putin’s endorsement of Harris could be seen as a cynical ploy—a political maneuver similar to one Frank Underwood, the Machiavellian protagonist of House of Cards, might make. By publicly supporting Harris, Putin may be attempting to sow discord within the U.S. electoral process, potentially harming Harris’ chances rather than helping them.

Putin’s praise for Harris’ infectious laugh also carries a subtle undertone, possibly trolling the vice president by echoing a frequent criticism levied by Trump regarding her laugh. Whether intentional or not, this comment adds a layer of irony to the Russian leader’s statements.

As the 2024 U.S. presidential race unfolds, Putin’s words will no doubt be scrutinized further, raising concerns about the continued influence of foreign actors in American politics. For now, Putin’s commentary serves as a reminder that when it comes to U.S. elections, global figures like him remain active participants, regardless of their country’s own political systems.

This report includes additional contributions from CNN, Anna Chernova and Christian Edwards.