Russian president Vladimir Putin said he is ready to work with any American leader, but is not yet ready to recognize the electoral victory of Joe biden.
“We will work with anyone who has the confidence of the American people,” Putin said on Russian state television on Sunday. “But that confidence can only be given to a candidate whose victory has been recognized by the opposing party, or after the results are legitimately and legally confirmed.”
The comments are some of the most detailed since the election of Putin, one of a shrinking number of leaders who have failed to recognize Biden as the next US head of state.
Russia, accused by US intelligence agencies of intervening in 2016 to help Trump get elected, has distrusted Biden, fearing increased pressure from sanctions and clashes over human rights.
Putin described the KremlinThe decision not to congratulate Biden as “a formality” with no ulterior motives.
When asked if the move could damage US-Russian relations, he said: “There is nothing to harm, they are already ruined.”
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