Harris’ remarks about Putin ‘outrageous’ – Moscow

Derogatory remarks by US Vice President Kamala Harris about Russian President Vladimir Putin are “unacceptable” and an insult to the country, Moscow’s embassy in Washington has said.

In an interview with radio host Howard Stern on Tuesday, the Democratic presidential hopeful described Putin as a “murderous dictator” and America’s “adversary.”

In a post on Telegram on Wednesday, the Russian embassy called the remarks “outrageous.”

“Such US escapades insult the entire Russian people, who demonstrate unwavering unity around the leader of our country,” the post read.

The Russian embassy noted that “such boorish language has become a habit among current so-called American statesmen.”

“It only shows the frustration and impotence of the ruling circles in Washington. Due to their inability to deal with the Russian Federation and inflict a ‘strategic defeat’” on Moscow in the conflict with Kiev, the statement stressed.

Instead of channeling their “anger and offensive rhetoric,” the US leadership “should come to terms with the fact that Russia is pursuing a policy based on its national interests,” the embassy added.

Putin stated last month that while he previously favored US President Joe Biden to win re-election, he would root for Harris, since Biden endorsed her after suspending his campaign in July.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump “imposed more sanctions on Russia than any president who came before him,” the Russian president noted, suggesting that the Democratic contender “would maybe refrain from such actions.” Harris “laughs so infectiously” that it suggests “everything is going well for her,” he added.

Putin’s ‘endorsement’ immediately made headlines in the US, with the White House demanding that the Russian president “stop talking about our elections.” Trump reacted by saying he was not sure whether to be insulted by the Russian leader’s words or take them as a favor to him.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained later that Putin’s comments about supporting Harris were not serious. The Russian leader “has a good sense of humor” and “often resorts to jokes during his speeches and interviews,” he explained.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last month that both US presidential candidates “maintain a negative attitude, an unfriendly attitude” toward Russia, and that the Kremlin “does not like” the fact that Putin’s name is being used in internal political struggles in America.