Russian President Vladimir Putin said their preferred candidate in the United States presidential election is Kamala Harris.

“If we can name a favorite candidate, it used to be Joe Biden but now he’s not participating in the election campaign. And he recommended to all his allies to support Ms. Harris, so that is what we are going to do,” Putin said at an economic forum in the city of Vladivostok.

“In the end, it will be the choice of the U.S. people and we will respect this choice,” he added.

WATCH:

NEW — Putin Says Russia Supports Kamala Harris For President

“If we can name a favorite candidate, it used to be Joe Biden but now he's not participating in the election campaign. And he recommended to all his allies to support Ms. Harris, so that is what we are going to do.” pic.twitter.com/Qf5dNI8xPz

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) September 5, 2024

Per NBC News:

Asked about the upcoming U.S. election, Putin said it was ultimately “the choice of the American people” but that Russia backed Harris, the Democratic nominee.

His intervention comes less than 24 hours after the Departments of Justice, State and Treasury announced sanctions and criminal charges in what the Biden administration said were Russian government-sponsored attempts to manipulate U.S. public opinion ahead of the November vote.

“I told you, our favorite, if I may say so, was the current president Mr. Biden,” Putin said with a smirk on his face. “He was removed from the race, but he advised all his supporters to support Ms. Harris. So we will do it as well, we will root for her,” he said, to applause from the audience.

“Secondly, she has such an expressive and infectious laugh that it means she is doing well,” Putin said, speaking of Harris.

Vladimir Putin said Russia will support US Vice President Kamala Harris in November’s presidential election because she’s been endorsed by President Joe Biden https://t.co/uY5SdklJrs

— Bloomberg (@business) September 5, 2024

“Vladimir Putin just endorsed Kamala Harris with a smirk on his face and the crowd laughed. He knows that 4 more years of Bidenomics and Biden foreign policy will destroy America for him,” Bill Mitchell commented.

Vladimir Putin just endorsed Kamala Harris with a smirk on his face and the crowd laughed. He knows that 4 more years of Bidenomics and Biden foreign policy will destroy America for him.pic.twitter.com/cERnMlVxqU

— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) September 5, 2024

“The comments, dripping with sarcasm, will likely be dismissed by the White House and Harris campaign,” NBC News noted.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin says Russia supports Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the presidential election because she's been endorsed by Joe Biden.

"Biden was our favorite but he dropped out of the race, he recommended that all his supporters support Harris, so we will too" pic.twitter.com/JpMG7pMckL

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) September 5, 2024

Reuters reports:

Before President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Putin had said earlier this year – in another comment widely seen as not to be taken at face value – that he preferred Biden over Trump because the former was a more predictable “old school” politician.

U.S. intelligence agencies believe Moscow actually wants Trump to win because he is less committed to supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Asked how he viewed the election now, Putin told an economic forum in Russia’s far east that it was the choice of the American people.

But he then added that as Biden had recommended his supporters to back Harris, “we will do the same, we will support her”.

Putin and the moderator were both smiling as he made the remark, which drew applause from the audience.