Putin’s Joke About Supporting Harris in US Election, According to Foreign Minister – Reuters

Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin was joking when he claimed that Moscow was backing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

Earlier this month, Putin remarked that Russia preferred Harris in the election, citing her "infectious" laugh as a reason for this preference over Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. This comment led the White House to respond, advising Putin to refrain from making remarks about the November 5 election.

"It was a joke," Lavrov stated when asked about how a change in the U.S. president might impact Russia’s foreign policy. "President Putin has a good sense of humor. He often makes jokes during his statements and interviews."

Lavrov also expressed skepticism about any significant differences in Russia’s views regarding current and past U.S. elections, claiming they are influenced by what he referred to as the "deep state," although he did not provide evidence to support this assertion.

Lavrov’s remarks were released on the Russian foreign ministry’s website on Friday.