Putin says he has noted Joe Biden’s ‘sharp anti-Russian rhetoric’
“Of course we value this,” said Putin, who also denied once again accusations of Russian meddling in the US election four years ago, when Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.
“As far as the candidate from the Democratic Party is concerned … we also see quite sharp anti-Russian rhetoric. Unfortunately, we are used to this,” Putin said in an appearance on state television.
But he added that Biden had made what he regarded as encouraging statements on New START, the last significant nuclear arms pact between Russia and the US, which is due to expire in February.
“Candidate Biden publicly said he was ready for an extension of New START or to reach a new treaty to limit strategic … weapons, and this is a very serious element of our cooperation in the future,” Putin said.
Last month, Putin proposed a reset in cyber-ties with Washington and called for a bilateral agreement that they would not engage in cyber-meddling in each other’s elections.
On Wednesday, he said Washington had ignored that proposal.
“Unfortunately … there has been no answer on this … very important issue, although there are continuing claims against us about our apparent hyperactivity … in interfering in elections … which are completely groundless.”
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 US presidential election with the aim of tilting it in Trump’s favour, including by hacking into Clinton’s campaign. Moscow denies that charge.
Russia has also denied accusations it is attempting to interfere in the 2020 US campaign, despite evidence to the contrary.
“Candidate Biden publicly said he was ready for an extension of New START or to reach a new treaty to limit strategic … weapons, and this is a very serious element of our cooperation in the future,” Putin said.
Last month, Putin proposed a reset in cyber-ties with Washington and called for a bilateral agreement that they would not engage in cyber-meddling in each other’s elections.
On Wednesday, he said Washington had ignored that proposal.
“Unfortunately … there has been no answer on this … very important issue, although there are continuing claims against us about our apparent hyperactivity … in interfering in elections … which are completely groundless.”
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 US presidential election with the aim of tilting it in Trump’s favour, including by hacking into Clinton’s campaign. Moscow denies that charge.
Russia has also denied accusations it is attempting to interfere in the 2020 US campaign, despite evidence to the contrary.
