Election upheaval in US reflects deepening schisms, says Russia

Zakharova criticised the US for blaming Russia, calling it a symptom of "the disease of American democracy”

MOSCOW:

Russia highlighted the tumult engulfing the US electoral landscape, marked by an assassination attempt against Donald Trump and President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, as indicators of a deeply divided American society. These events, according to Russia, show a nation on the brink of significant turmoil.

On July 13, former President Trump, now the Republican candidate, was shot in the ear during a campaign rally. Adding to the election drama, President Biden ended his reelection campaign last Sunday, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

When asked about her preference for the next US president, Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, avoided specifying a favourite, instead commenting on the challenging times facing the United States. She remarked on the "deep divisions" and potential for "civil conflict" within American society, noting that despite these internal issues, the US continues to perceive Russia as a crucial adversary.

President Vladimir Putin, who in the past has expressed a preference for Biden over Trump, had not publicly commented on Biden's exit from the race by Wednesday morning. However, US intelligence reports suggest a preference in Russia for a Trump presidency, citing past influence campaigns aimed at supporting Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections against Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively. Russia has consistently denied these allegations.

Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, before his death last year, claimed he had interfered in the 2016 election, contradicting official Russian statements.

Zakharova criticised the US tendency to blame Russia for its internal challenges, asserting, "Blaming Russia for its own troubles, miscalculations, problems, mistakes, and shortcomings is a manifestation of the disease of American democracy."

She firmly stated, "We do not interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states, much less exert influence, and do not model or exert pressure on electoral processes. The upcoming elections in the United States are no exception; we have never interfered in them previously."