Key Takeaways:
• Putin’s spokesperson is not happy with references to Putin during the first Kamala Harris-Donald Trump head-to-head debate.
• Trump avoided direct responses when asked about American support for Ukraine during the debate.
• Kamala Harris accused Trump of being on friendly terms with a dictator.
• Trump falsely stated that the Ukraine-Russia war has killed millions, while UN data suggests otherwise.
In a major talking point from recent U.S. political news, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s chief spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, expressed his dissatisfaction with the frequent mentions of Putin during the first 2024 U.S. presidential election debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Peskov’s Displeasure
Peskov accused American politicians of using Putin’s name as a weapon in their domestic political strife. “The name Putin is used, let’s say, as one of the tools in the domestic political struggle of the United States. We really, really don’t like this and we still hope they will leave our president alone”, Peskov stated in Moscow.
Although maintaining a neutral stance towards the U.S. political contest, Peskov observed an unfriendly attitude from the U.S towards Russia, regardless of party affiliations. This comment comes despite Putin’s previous tongue-in-cheek endorsement of Harris.
Trump’s Admiration for Putin
Adding to the controversy, Trump is known for his praise for Putin’s tactics, including his actions during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine which he branded “genius” and “very savvy.” On the contrary, Trump has shown no such admiration for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, dimissively calling him a “salesman.”
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has rallied international support for Ukraine and imposed sanctions against Russia. These efforts continue as many believe Putin’s victory in Ukraine could encourage moves against other Western-allied democracies in Europe.
Trump’s Stance on Ukraine-Russia War
During Tuesday’s heated debate, Trump expressed his desire for the war in Ukraine to end. Yet, when asked directly if he wished for Ukraine to win the war, he evaded a clear answer twice. Instead, he reiterated his desire to end the war, and for the U.S to disengage from it.
However, Trump made a false claim concerning the death toll of the Ukraine-Russia war, reporting “millions” of casualties. The United Nations has verified 11,700 civilian deaths, contradicting Trump’s assertion.
Such comments have raised concerns among Ukraine and its supporters about the potential consequences of a Trump return to the White House. Trump has laid claim to his ability to make peace between Ukraine and Russia within a day, but he has not detailed how he would achieve this.
Harris’s Accusation
During the debate, Harris tossed accusations at Trump of being cozy with Putin, whom she described as a “dictator who would eat you for lunch.” The fear underlying this is that a peace deal under Trump might involve Ukraine giving up significant territory and sovereignty to Russia.
The discourse of the first Harris-Trump debate has amplified the unease concerning U.S.’s stance and subsequent action plan amid the Chekhovian drama between Ukraine and Russia. The future course of this discourse remains pregnant with anticipation.
Reference: CBS News