Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his support for Donald Trump.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum Friday, Putin said that though his country will “work with any elected U.S. president,” he offered his blatant support for the presumed Republican presidential nominee, whom he called “bright.”
“What I’ve definitely noticed and what I welcome is that Mr. Trump stated that he’s ready to fully restore Russian-American relations,” Putin said in response to a question. “What’s wrong with that? We welcome it all.”
Putin said that he called the United States “a country that so much in the world depends on today,” and that any American leader will feel “responsible” because of it.
“This feeling of responsibility will prompt [any] newly elected president to work with Russia and create a safer world,” Putin explained.
When asked about Hillary Clinton, Putin dodged a direct comment on the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, but did speak highly of Bill Clinton.
However, Putin did criticize the U.S. and its election system, asking “Is it really a democracy?”
Russia never interferes with the internal affairs of other countries, Putin added.
“We’re not criticizing anyone,” he said. “But we need the United States to stop interfering with our affairs.”
In December, Trump welcomed Putin’s praise, calling it “a great honor.”
“It is always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond,” Trump said in a Dec. 18 interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I have always felt that Russia and the United States should be able to work well with each other towards defeating terrorism and restoring world peace, not to mention trade and all of the other benefits derived from mutual respect.”
