Putin makes surprise pick by backing Biden over Trump in rematch: ‘More experienced, predictable’

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprising pick in the upcoming US presidential election, saying he prefers “predictable” President Joe Biden over Donald Trump, who’s complimented Putin over the years.

“[Biden] is a more experienced, predictable person, a politician of the old school,” Putin, 71, told interviewer Pavel Zarubin on Rossiya 1 TV. “But we will work with any U.S. president who the American people have confidence in.”

Russia has been widely accused of meddling in the 2016 election by numerous US intelligence agencies. Putin is widely believed to be interested in stoking internal US divisions.

Throughout his presidency, former President Donald Trump, 77, was dogged by accusations from critics that he was overly cozy with the Russian leader.

Even after his presidency, Trump continued to speak highly of Putin, calling him a “genius” and “savvy” after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.