Putin’s latest right turn

Backs French nationalist Le Pen

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin made his preferences in the French presidential election clear yesterday by hosting far-right candidate Marine Le Pen at the Kremlin, but analysts are skeptical about Russia’s ability to sway the outcome of the vote.

Embracing Le Pen is part of Russia’s efforts to reach out to nationalist and anti-globalist forces to build up its influence in the West and help overcome the strains in relations with the U.S. and the European Union.

President Trump’s victory has emboldened the Kremlin, even though the ongoing U.S. Congressional scrutiny of his campaign ties with Russia has all but dashed Moscow’s hopes for a quick detente. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Moscow of hacking to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election.

During yesterday’s meeting with National Front leader Le Pen, Putin insisted that Russia has no intention of meddling in the French election and only wants to have a dialogue with a variety of politicians. He praised Le Pen, saying she represents part of a “quickly developing spectrum of European political forces.”

“I long have spoken for Russia and France to restore their cultural, economic and strategic ties, especially now, when we face a serious terror threat,” Le Pen told Putin yesterday. The meeting was a surprise addition to her meeting with Russian lawmakers, which was announced earlier this week.

Polls show Le Pen as the likely winner of the first round of France’s presidential vote on April 23, but indicate that she would lose presidential runoff on May 7 to centrist independent candidate Emmanuel Macron.

KREMLIN POOL VIA AP MEET-AND-GREET: French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front party shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Kremlin yesterday. Le Pen says she wants to restore closer ties with Moscow.