Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments about supporting Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election were just a joke, according to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Lavrov clarified that Putin’s statement, which highlighted Harris’s “infectious” laugh as a reason for preferring her over Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump, was made in jest. The remark caused a reaction from the White House, which suggested that Putin should refrain from commenting on the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
“It was a joke,” Lavrov said when asked how much a change in the U.S. presidency might impact Russia’s foreign policy. He emphasized that Putin has a good sense of humor and frequently makes jokes during public statements and interviews. Lavrov went on to explain that Russia does not view U.S. elections, whether past or current, as having a significant effect on Russian foreign policy, attributing the lack of impact to the influence of the so-called “deep state” in the U.S., a claim he did not substantiate.
Lavrov’s remarks were posted on the Russian foreign ministry’s website on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing for a crucial trip to the United States, where he hopes to meet with former President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy, who will also meet with current U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the trip, aims to present Ukraine’s “victory plan” for ending the war with Russia. The Ukrainian leader indicated that he expects to meet with Trump on September 26 or 27, though details remain limited.
Zelenskyy’s visit comes as part of his efforts to secure continued support from Ukraine’s key allies, particularly the United States. He is scheduled to attend meetings of the U.N. Security Council and the General Assembly, where he will seek to strengthen Ukraine’s position with additional military, economic, and diplomatic aid. Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of quick decisions by Ukraine’s allies, especially between October and December of this year, to implement his proposed diplomatic solution for ending the war with Russia.
One of Zelenskyy’s key objectives during his U.S. visit will be persuading Washington to lift restrictions on long-range missile strikes within Russian territory, an issue that has been a point of contention between Kyiv and its Western allies. Despite Ukraine’s efforts to push back against Russian forces, Russian troops continue to make slow but steady progress in eastern Ukraine. A surprise Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last month has not significantly altered the broader trajectory of the conflict.
Zelenskyy has been adamant that there can be no “just peace” until Russia is diplomatically forced to end its aggression. He has also rejected the idea of freezing the war, arguing that doing so would only delay further Russian attempts to exert control over Ukraine.