Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday scoffed at allegations of collusion between US President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia, saying they have been “invented” by Trump’s foes and have hurt the US political system.
He also mocked his critic, Alexei Navalny, who is barred from challenging Putin in the March 18 vote by an embezzlement conviction, saying those like him want to plunge Russia into a destabilised quagmire. He vowed not to let that happen.
Speaking at his annual marathon news conference, Putin reaffirmed his firm denial of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.
“All of it was invented by people who oppose President Trump to undermine his legitimacy,” he said. “I’m puzzled by that. People who do it are inflicting damage to the domestic political situation, incapacitating the president and showing a lack of respect to voters who cast their ballots for him.”
He argued that Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, whose contacts with Trump’s entourage are part of the FBI and Congressional probes into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, was simply performing his routine duties.
Putin also insisted Russia’s state-funded RT TV and Sputnik news agency had a very minor presence in the US media market, adding that the US demand for them to register as foreign agents represented an attack on media freedom. Russia has responded in return, requesting the US government-funded Voice of America and the Radio Free Europe/Radio liberty to register as foreign agents.
Putin noted Trump’s achievements, saying that global markets have demonstrated investors’ confidence in Trump’s economic 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 voiced hope that Trump eventually would be able to fulfill his campaign promises to improve ties with Russia.
Putin emphasized that the two countries need to cooperate on tackling global challenges. He said Russia, in particular, 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 bid, but added the US had “provoked” Pyongyang into developing its nuclear and missile programs by spiking a 2005 deal under which North Korea agreed to halt them.
Putin said Moscow was encouraged to hear US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s statement about readiness for talks with Pyongyang, hailing it as a “realistic” approach.
The Russian leader also voiced concern about the US considering a pullout from key nuclear arms control pacts, adding that Moscow intends to stick to them.