Putin’s Picks: What the U. S. Election Means for Russia

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about the upcoming U. S. election, and he responded with a wry smile and an arched eyebrow. He didn't seem thrilled about either candidate. "Our favorite was Biden, " he said, referring to the current U. S. president. But since Biden was out of the race and had backed Kamala Harris, Putin quipped that Russia would support Harris. This wasn't exactly an enthusiastic endorsement, though. He jokingly praised Harris for her laugh, but the real message was that neither candidate was ideal from Russia's perspective. Experts agree that neither Harris nor Trump promises better relations between the U. S. and Russia, which are at their lowest point since the Cold War. Harris has taken a tough stance against Russia, while Trump, despite his admiration for Putin, wasn't always easy on Russia during his presidency. The U. S. election has big stakes for Russia. One key issue is aid for Ukraine. Harris is likely to continue the massive support Biden has given to Ukraine. Trump, on the other hand, has suggested he could negotiate an end to the war and might lift sanctions on Russia. Harris has been clear that she wants Ukraine to win the war, while Trump has avoided saying so directly. Another issue is how the U. S. will approach Russia on human rights. Harris has confronted Russia directly on matters like the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Trump, however, has been less critical of Putin on human rights issues. NATO is also a big deal. Trump has had problems with NATO allies and even questioned whether the U. S. should defend certain members. Harris, on the other hand, has said the U. S. commitment to NATO is "ironclad. " Arms control deals with Russia are another concern. The New START treaty, which limits nuclear weapons, is set to expire soon. Harris is likely to support the treaty, while Trump has taken steps to dismantle the arms control regime in the past. In the end, Putin's teasing answer shows that Russia isn't really excited about either candidate. They're both seen as unappealing options with different potential impacts on Russia.