Russian President Vladimir Putin has blasted a ‘naive’ journalist for asking if he was disappointed in Donald Trump.
Speaking at a news conference today, Putin dismissed a question on whether he was unimpressed by the US president by stressing that it would be ‘wholly wrong’ for Russia to comment on American domestic issues.
In comments carried by Russian news agencies, Putin said Trump is ‘not my bride, and I’m not his groom.’
Speaking at a news conference today, Putin dismissed a question on whether he was unimpressed by the US president by stressing that it would be ‘wholly wrong’ for Russia to comment on American domestic issues
He also dodged a question about how Russia would feel if Trump were impeached.
Russian officials cheered Trump when he was elected last year, and Putin praised him as someone who wanted to improve ties with Russia.
However, further US sanctions on Russia and the US decision to close a Russian consulate have raised concerns that the two countries remain far apart.
During the press conference, Putin also condemned North Korea’s latest nuclear test.
He also warned against using military force against the country, however, calling it a ‘road to nowhere’ that could lead to a ‘global catastrophe.’
North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test to date on Sunday, triggering US warnings of a ‘massive military response.’
Putin also dodged a question about how Russia would feel if Trump were impeached
Rattled by the test, South Korea today conducted live-fire exercises at sea in its second straight day of military display.
Russia condemns North Korea’s nuclear test as ‘provocative,’ Putin told the televised news conference in China.
But he stopped short of expressing willingness to impose more sanctions on North Korea, saying Moscow views them as ‘useless and ineffective.’
Putin said North Korea’s neighbors should engage with it, not whip up ‘military hysteria.’
Russia condemns North Korea’s nuclear test as ‘provocative,’ Putin told the televised news conference in China. Pictured: The Russian president with Chinese premier Xi Jingping
The Russian president told reporters that he had remarked to one of his counterparts at the talks that North Korea ‘will eat grass but will not give up the (nuclear) program if they don’t feel safe’
‘It’s a road to nowhere. Whipping up military hysteria – this will lead to no good,’ he said. ‘It could cause a global catastrophe and an enormous loss of life.’
The Russian president, who was in China for a summit of leading emerging economies, told reporters that he had remarked to one of his counterparts at the talks that North Korea ‘will eat grass but will not give up the (nuclear) program if they don’t feel safe.’
Putin said it was important that all parties affected by the crisis, including North Korea, not face ‘threats of annihilation’ and ‘step on the path of cooperation.’