Putin’s assessment of Trump? ‘Frank’ and ‘straightforward’
‘Patriotic’ Russians may have hacked U.S. election, he adds
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Trump on Thursday as a “straightforward” and “frank person” who looks at issues with a “fresh set of eyes.”
Speaking to foreign reporters at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin denied that the Russian state had ever engaged in election hacking, but conceded it is theoretically possible some individual “patriotic” Russians could have mounted some cyberattacks.
He rejected charges by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia hacked into Democratic Party emails, helping Trump’s election victory and railed against “Russophobic hysteria” that he said makes it “somewhat inconvenient to work with one another or even to talk.”
“It’s having an impact, and I’m afraid this is one of the goals of those who organize it are pursuing and they can fine-tune the public sentiments to their liking, trying to establish an atmosphere that is going to prevent us from addressing common issues, say with regard to terrorism,” Putin said.
He indicated, however, that Trump is an American leader he could work with.
Putin praised Trump as “a straightforward person, a frank person,” adding that some view Trump’s lack of political experience as a disadvantage, while the Russian leader considers it a plus.
“He can’t be put in the same category as normal politicians,” Putin said. “I see that as an advantage. He has a fresh set of eyes.’’
Putin noted that the two leaders have only talked by phone and it is difficult to form an opinion from a distance. They plan to meet for the first time at the G-20 summit in Hamburg in July.
“How can you be friends with someone you don’t know?’’ Putin said. “I don’t think he can call me a friend. We have never seen each other in person.’’
As for the strains between Russia and the West, Putin predicted “this will end, sooner or later,” adding that “we are patient, we know how to wait and we will wait.”
Regarding allegations of Russian state hacking in foreign elections, Putin said he is “deeply convinced that no hackers can radically influence another country’s election campaign.”
He also rejected U.S. charges that the Russian state had ever engaged in such hacking, but acknowledged it is theoretically possible that tensions between Russia and the West could have provoked some individuals to mount cyberattacks.
“If they have patriotic leanings, they may try to add their contribution to the fight against those who speak badly about Russia,” he said. “Theoretically it’s possible.”
Putin shrugged off Western economic restrictions against Russia over its annexation of Crimea and over allegations of hacking, saying they have had “zero effect.” He predicted that the current strain in relations will ease.