Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Putin: Probes hurt only U.S.
Russian president Vladimir Putin reaffirms his denial of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the U.S. is only hurting itself with investigations of alleged collusion between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia, and the Kremlin leader vowed he won’t allow the radical opposition at home to challenge the status quo as he seeks re-election.
At his annual news conference, Putin also mocked his most visible critic, Alexei Navalny, saying that those like the opposition leader want to drive Russia into chaos ahead of the March 18 presidential election in Russia.
Brimming with self-confidence during the nearly four-hour session, Putin reaffirmed his denial of interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“All of it was invented by people who oppose President Trump to undermine his legitimacy,” Putin said in remarks that mirrored Trump’s arguments. “I’m puzzled by that. People who do it are inflicting damage to the country’s domestic political situation, incapacitating the president and showing a lack of respect to voters who cast their ballots for him.”
U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the election to help Trump, a Republican, defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Putin said Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, whose contacts with Trump’s campaign are part of the probes by Congress and special counsel Robert Mueller, was only performing his routine duties.
“It’s a universally accepted practice when diplomatic envoys and even government officials meet candidates and their teams to discuss some issues, prospects for development, trying to get an idea what they will do if they come to power and how to respond to that,” Putin said.
Putin also praised Trump’s successes, saying that global markets have demonstrated investors’ confidence in his course.
The Russian leader said he and Trump had spoken on a first-name basis on the sidelines of two international summits this year, and he voiced hope that Trump eventually would be able to fulfill his campaign promises to improve ties with Russia.
Putin emphasized the countries need to cooperate on tackling global challenges and that Russia is ready for “constructive” cooperation on tackling the North Korean standoff.
Putin has warned the U.S. not to use force against North Korea, adding that the consequences will be “catastrophic.” He emphasized that Russia opposes Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.
Putin said Moscow was encouraged by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s statement about readiness for talks with Pyongyang, hailing it as a “realistic” approach.
He pointed out, however, that the U.S. sanctions against Russia have put Moscow on a par with Iran and North Korea. He said it looks “weird” given that Washington expects Moscow’s cooperation with tackling North Korea.
“It’s beyond reason,” he said.