Russia on Harris-Trump Debate: “Leave Our President Alone”

In a recent statement, Dmitry Peskov, the chief spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed frustration over remarks made by Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump during their first debate in the race for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Peskov claimed that both candidates referenced Putin excessively, suggesting that the name has become a tool for domestic political battles in the United States.

Peskov urged American politicians to refrain from using Putin’s name in this manner, conveying a desire for their leader to be left out of U.S. electoral discussions. “We really, really don’t like this and we still hope they will leave our president alone,” he stated, maintaining a facade of neutrality despite his boss’s recent sarcastic endorsement of Harris.

Putin’s comments about Harris highlighted a broader sentiment that all U.S. candidates, regardless of their party, generally maintain an unfriendly attitude toward Russia. Over the years, Trump has frequently praised Putin, notably referring to his strategies during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine as “genius” and “very savvy.” In contrast, Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, labeling him a “salesman” for soliciting aid from allies.

The Biden administration has made it a priority to support Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. U.S. and European officials have asserted that a decisive victory by Ukraine is essential to deter further aggression from Putin against other democracies in Europe. Key figures in the Biden administration have been instrumental in rallying international support for Ukraine and implementing sanctions against Russia, even prior to the full-scale invasion.

During a heated exchange in Tuesday night’s debate, Trump spoke about wanting the conflict in Ukraine to conclude but notably dodged questions about whether he believed Ukraine should win. Moderator David Muir pressed Trump on whether he wanted Ukraine to emerge victorious, to which Trump replied, “I want the war to stop. I want to save lives.”

This response failed to clarify his stance on Ukraine’s victory, and when asked further about the U.S.’s interests in relation to Ukraine winning the war, Trump stated, “I think it’s the U.S. best interest to get this war finished and just get it done.” The ambiguity of Trump’s responses raised concerns, as Ukraine heavily relies on American support to combat Russian forces.

Additionally, Trump inaccurately claimed during the debate that “millions” have died in the conflict since its escalation in February 2022. In reality, the United Nations has verified around 11,700 civilian casualties. This kind of misinformation could amplify fears among Ukraine and its allies that Trump’s potential return to the White House might lead to pressure on Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal that could involve ceding territory to Russia, which Zelenskyy has categorically opposed.

Harris, in her counterpoints during the debate, called out Trump’s assertions that he could secure a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia in just a day, suggesting that such remarks could suggest capitulation. “The reason that Donald Trump says that this war would be over within 24 hours is because he would just give it up,” she remarked, emphasizing the danger of aligning with what she termed a “dictator.” Her comments underscored the serious implications of potential negotiations with Putin’s regime.

Before the invasion in 2022, President Biden had tasked Harris with solidifying support for Ukraine during the Munich Security Conference. Harris met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines, but Trump claimed that her mission left the door open for Putin to commence the invasion just days later. The U.S. government, however, pointed out that there were already signs of an imminent conflict due to Russian troop movements along Ukraine’s border. Notably, Harris did not meet with Putin during that diplomatic visit.

As the debate continues over the U.S. stance towards Ukraine and Russia, the comments from both Trump and Harris highlight the complex dynamics of American politics and international relations, with implications that extend far beyond their electoral campaign.

Source: CBS News