Speaking at an economic conference in far eastern Russia yesterday, Vladimir Putin, the country’s leader, branded the criminal cases against Donald Trump as political persecution.
The former U.S. president faces 91 felony counts in four jurisdictions. Putin also praised the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Putin’s remarks appeared to be aimed at lending firepower to the Republican outcry over the prosecutions of Trump, who has long expressed public admiration for the Russian leader and has helped encourage a sizable Moscow-friendly contingent within his party.
“Given today’s conditions, what is happening is good for us, in my opinion, because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach democracy to others,” Putin said.
A push by more than 30 allied European countries to arm themselves, precipitated in part by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has raised concerns of disorganization and supply shortages.
