Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov takes part in talks held by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and President of the New Development Bank (NDB) Dilma Rousseff on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 6, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/Pool/File Photo
Kremlin Views on U.S. Presidential Candidates and Bilateral Relations
Russian Perspective on Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently conveyed that Russia perceives U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris as a more predictable opponent compared to former Republican President Donald Trump. Despite this, Peskov emphasized that Moscow does not expect an improvement in U.S.-Russia relations regardless of the election outcome.
Dismissal of Trump’s Ukraine War Claims
Peskov also dismissed Trump’s assertion that he could end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours if re-elected. In the interview with Kremlin-favored journalist Pavel Zarubin, Peskov expressed skepticism about Trump’s claim, labeling it as “fantasy.” He argued that even if a new U.S. president were to halt military aid to Ukraine and call for peace negotiations, it would not necessarily alter the situation on the ground or change the mindset in Kyiv.
Kremlin’s Position on U.S. Elections
When questioned about Russia’s preferred candidate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Peskov, laughing, replied that Russia has no specific candidate, but reiterated that the Democrats, including Harris, are generally more predictable than their Republican counterparts. This aligns with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier statements, where he expressed a preference for Joe Biden over Trump, citing Biden’s experience and predictability.
Bilateral Relations at a Historic Low
Peskov acknowledged that U.S.-Russia relations have reached a historic low, with little hope of improvement in the near future. He criticized recent U.S. actions as exceeding acceptable limits, further straining the relationship between the two countries. According to Peskov, there is currently no “magic wand” to resolve the Ukraine crisis or to reset the deeply deteriorated bilateral ties.
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