Vladimir Putin has insisted allegations of collusion between Donald Trump and Russia were ‘invented’ by the former reality TV star’s enemies to undermine his legitimacy.
Speaking at his annual marathon news conference today, Putin reaffirmed his firm denial of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election – and said those who contend it happened are disrespecting Trump voters.
‘All of it was invented by people who oppose President Trump to undermine his legitimacy,’ he said. ‘I’m puzzled by that.
‘People who do it are inflicting damage to the domestic political situation, incapacitating the president and showing a lack of respect for voters who cast their ballots for him.’
Speaking at his annual marathon news conference today, Putin reaffirmed his firm denial of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election – and said those who contend it happened are disrespecting Trump voters
‘All of it was invented by people who oppose President Trump to undermine his legitimacy,’ he said. ‘I’m puzzled by that’
In a wide-ranging interview, the former Soviet Union spy offered denials of essentially every accusation against Russia in recent year – including over missile treaty violations and the suppression of rivals at home
Russia’s military spending next year will amount to 2.8 trillion rubles (about $46 billion, £34 billion) compared to the Pentagon’s budget of about $700 billion, he noted
Putin also answered Sobchak’s question about opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who declared his intention to run for president but is being kept from entering the campaign by an embezzlement conviction that he calls politically motivated
In a wide-ranging interview, the former Soviet Union spy offered denials of essentially every accusation against Russia in recent year – including over missile treaty violations and the suppression of rivals at home.
He also noted Trump’s achievements, saying that global markets have demonstrated investors’ confidence in Trump’s economic course.
The Russian leader said he and Trump had spoken on a first-name basis during their encounters on the sidelines of two international summits this year and voiced hope that Trump eventually would be able to fulfill his campaign promises to improve ties with Russia.
Putin emphasized that the two countries need to cooperate on tackling global challenges. He said Russia, in particular, is ready for ‘constructive’ cooperation on tackling the North Korean standoff.
Putin has warned the US not to use force against North Korea, adding that the consequences will be ‘catastrophic.’
He emphasised that Russia opposes Pyongyang’s nuclear bid, but added the US had ‘provoked’ Pyongyang into developing its nuclear and missile programs by spiking a 2005 deal under which North Korea agreed to halt them.
Putin said Moscow was encouraged to hear US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s statement about readiness for talks with Pyongyang, hailing it as a ‘realistic’ approach.
The president also argued that Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, whose contacts with Trump’s entourage are part of the FBI and Congressional probes into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, was simply performing his routine duties like any other ambassador.
Putin emphasised that Russia opposes Pyongyang’s nuclear bid, but added the US had ‘provoked’ Pyongyang into developing its nuclear and missile programs by spiking a 2005 deal under which North Korea agreed to halt them. Pictured: North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un
Putin said Moscow was encouraged to hear US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s statement about readiness for talks with Pyongyang, hailing it as a ‘realistic’ approach. Pictured: Kim with his subordinates
Putin also insisted Russia’s state-funded anti-Western propaganda channels RT TV and Sputnik news agency had a very minor presence in the US media market, adding that the US demand for them to register as foreign agents represented an attack on media freedom.
Russia has responded in return, requesting the US government-funded Voice of America and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to register as foreign agents.
The Russian leader also voiced concern about the US considering a pullout from key nuclear arms control pacts, adding that Moscow intends to stick to them.
He noted that Russia is particularly worried about what he described as US violations of the INF Treaty, a Cold-War era pact banning intermediate range missiles.
The Russian leader also voiced concern about the US considering a pullout from key nuclear arms control pacts, adding that Moscow intends to stick to them
The US has accused Russia of pact violations – charges that Russia has denied.
Putin said the US accusations are part of a ‘propaganda’ campaign to pave the way for the US withdrawal.
He emphasised that Russia will ‘ensure its security without entering an arms race.’
Russia’s military spending next year will amount to 2.8 trillion rubles (about $46 billion, £34 billion) compared to the Pentagon’s budget of about $700 billion, he noted.
Putin, who declared his re-election bid last week, said he would run as a self-nominated candidate, keeping a distance from the main Kremlin-controlled party, United Russia, whose many members have been dogged by corruption accusations.
He said he would welcome political competition but insisted that the opposition should offer a positive program.
Answering a question from 36-year-old celebrity TV host Ksenia Sobchak, who is challenging him in the March 18 presidential election, Putin said today that he doesn’t fear political competition but emphasised that the government would protect the country from attempts by radicals to destabilise Russia.
Putin also answered Sobchak’s question about opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who declared his intention to run for president but is being kept from entering the campaign by an embezzlement conviction that he calls politically motivated.
Asked about accusations of state-supported doping that led to Russia being banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea (to be held at PyeongChang, pictured), Putin alleged that there is a political element behind the claims, which Russia has denied
Without mentioning his name, Putin likened Navalny to former Georgian president turned Ukrainian opposition leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, who has challenged the Ukrainian government with a series of anti-corruption protests.
Putin said his government wouldn’t let ‘people like Saakashvili’ plunge Russia into instability like that now in Ukraine.
Asked about accusations of state-supported doping that led to Russia being banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Putin alleged that there is a political element behind the claims, which Russia has denied.
Putin says Russian doping expert Grigory Rodchenkov – who is under witness protection after fleeing to the United States last year – is ‘under the control’ of the FBI and ‘American special services.’
He suggested US agencies may be giving Rodchenkov unspecified ‘substances so that he says what’s required.’
Putin said the fact that Rodchenkov was appointed to run Moscow’s anti-doping laboratory ‘was a mistake on the part of those who did it, and I know who did it,’ but didn’t name names or say they should be punished.
Rodchenkov’s testimony played a key role in International Olympic Committee investigations that led last week to Russian athletes being required to compete under a neutral flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.