Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly disagrees with the criminal charges facing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, characterizing the legal proceedings against the former U.S. president as a form of political “persecution” and a reflection of U.S. vulnerabilities, he announced on Tuesday.
“This reveals the fundamental flaws within the American political system” Putin pointed out during an appearance at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, an annual event showcasing the Russian government’s development initiatives. “What is occurring with Trump equates to the persecution of a political adversary for political reasons.”
Putin’s statements align with repeated assertions made by Trump, who is confronting a total of 13 charges at both federal and state levels, including allegations of a criminal racketeering scheme, pressure on public officials, conspiracy to commit forgery, submission of false statements, and legal documents.
Despite the looming possibility of conviction right before the November election, Trump remains a leading contender for the Republican nomination. He has publicly criticized U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine as it continues its failing counteroffensive against Russia.
Since February 2022, the former U.S. president said that Putin as “quite intelligent” and totally disaproved of the U.S. response to the conflict in Ukraine. During a Republican presidential town hall hosted by CNN in May, he asserted that, as president, he could resolve the Ukraine conflict in a single day by reaching an agreement with both sides.
