Eyeing a third term, Putin aims to please

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin said yesterday Donald Trump had made “significant achievements” as US leader, rejecting claims Moscow meddled in the election that brought the US president to power.

Putin was speaking at a press conference, his first major public appearance since announcing he would seek a new six-year term in March 2018 elections.

“We can see several quite significant achievements in the short time he has been at work,” Putin said when asked to assess Trump’s time in power. “Look at how the markets are reacting, they are growing. This shows confidence in the American economy.With all due respect to [Trump’s] opponents, these are objective facts.”

But he said accusations Moscow had interfered in last year’s US election to swing the result had been “made up” by US opposition to discredit Trump’s work in the White House.

He referred to contact between Trump’s team and representatives of the Russian government, which he said was normal diplomatic practice. “What is so transgressive in this case and why should it take on this spythriller tone?” Putin asked.

The press conference kicked off with a question from a Moscow radio station on why Putin was seeking re-election.

“To improve quality of life for Russians,” said Putin, who has been in power since 1999. According to a survey published by independent pollster Levada on Wednesday, 75 percent of Russians would be prepared to vote for Putin in March, despite having yet to hear any specific campaign pledges.