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Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would prefer the reelection of United States President Joe Biden in the race for the White House this year than Donald Trump’s return to power.

Therefore, in an interview with a Russian TV network, he classified the current American leader as “more experienced and predictable”.

“He is an ‘old school’ politician. But we will work with any US leader, elected by the people of America,” he said.

The Russian president’s statements came days after Trump said he would encourage Russia to do “whatever it wants” with any NATO country that does not comply with defense spending guidelines. Biden shot back that Trump has made it clear “that he will abandon our NATO allies.”

Putin took the opportunity to complain that Western politicians distorted his words about the reasons behind the invasion of Ukraine, which he said was triggered by Kiev’s refusal to implement the Minsk agreements. He also said that Russia should have started its actions in Ukraine earlier, according to a description by the Tass agency.

“I never said that the start of our special operation in Ukraine was due to the threat of a NATO attack on Russia. We were worried and still are about the possibility of Ukraine being drawn into NATO, because it would be a threat to our security.”

In addition, he also entered the debate about old age being a problem for Biden to continue governing the USA. He stated that in his last personal meeting with Biden, he did not notice any signs that suggested the possibility of his incapacity.

“Yes, he peeked at your notes from time to time. But, frankly speaking, I also peeked at mine. (…) There are reports that he hit his head on the helicopter when leaving, but who didn’t?” he asked

Therefore, for Putin, the public’s attention to the health of the current US president is just the result of a heated electoral campaign in the country. “It is not the health of the candidates that matters to Moscow, but their political approaches. I think the current administration’s approach is very harmful and erroneous.”