Kremlin revels in Biden’s resolution to stop election race
- The State Duma Speaker said Biden should be ‘held accountable’ for Ukraine war
Kremlin figures have been revelling in Joe Biden‘s decision to quit the US presidential election race, while also taking aim at new Democrat frontrunner Kamala Harris.
‘There have been some statements which were full of unfriendly rhetoric towards our country,’ Vladimir Putin‘s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said of the American Vice President.
Russian politicians and diplomats have also used the dramatic turn of events to spout anti-West propaganda. Speaking during a visit to Cuba, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin claimed that Biden ‘has created problems all over the world and in his own country.’
The former Putin aide argued that Biden should be held accountable ‘for the war unleashed in Ukraine, the destruction of the economies of European states, the sanctions policy against Russia and other countries.’
He added that the American leader, who was up against Republican nominee Donald Trump, made the decision to bow out after ‘seeing that he will not be elected’ and is now ‘running away without waiting for the elections.’
![US President Joe Biden, speaks during a presidential debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/22/08/86693215-13658153-US_President_Joe_Biden_speaks_during_a_presidential_debate_with_-a-2_1721631973389.jpg)
US President Joe Biden, speaks during a presidential debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump
![State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin (right with Vladimir Putin) claimed that Biden 'has created problems all over the world](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/22/08/87611129-13658153-image-a-1_1721631946410.jpg)
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin (right with Vladimir Putin) claimed that Biden ‘has created problems all over the world
While many world leaders have praised Biden’s record in office and decades as a public servant, allies of Putin have responded to the news with criticism and sarcastic comments.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram: ‘Joseph Biden said that he is leaving the presidential race. But he did not say where exactly.’
She added that ‘the next step’ after Biden’s announcement ‘should be an investigation into the collusion of the American media and political circles that concealed the true state of affairs about his mental state, manipulating public opinion and playing into the hands of one political party.’
Kremlin spokesman Peskov insisted in an earlier statement that the Russian president’s focus is the war, not the US elections.
However, he added that ‘the elections are still four months away, we need to pay attention and watch what happens next.’
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for his ‘leadership and support’ after the US President recently announced a $225 million weapons package for his embattled country.
This included a Patriot system to bolster its air defenses against a deadly onslaught of Russian airstrikes.
Writing on X, Zelensky said: ‘Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for his 'leadership and support'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/22/08/87611481-13658153-image-a-3_1721632244107.jpg)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for his ‘leadership and support’
‘Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today’s tough but strong decision.’
For top Democrats, a catalyst for Biden’s fall from grace top came with his apparent implosion during last month’s TV election debate.
Pro-Kremlin media outlets and commentators taunted Washington over the president’s performance, which saw him stumble over his words and lose his train of thought.
The Kremlin itself also appeared to belittle the election showdown – with Putin’s spokesman claiming the dictator was too busy to wake up to watch the debate.
![Putin rarely comments on elections in the US, and has previously vowed to 'work with any US leader'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/22/08/86693209-13658153-Vladimir_Putin_s_spokesman_claimed_the_dictator_was_too_busy_to_-a-7_1721632375493.jpg)
Putin rarely comments on elections in the US, and has previously vowed to ‘work with any US leader’
‘I don’t think you would expect that the President of Russia could set an alarm clock, wake up in the morning and watch a debate in the United States,’ said his spokesman Peskov. ‘After all, this is not an event on our agenda.’
Putin rarely comments on elections in the US, and has previously vowed to ‘work with any US leader’.
Back in February, he said that Biden was a more preferable candidate for Russia, as he is ‘a more experienced, predictable politician of the old school.’
But he blasted America’s judicial and political systems in May following Trump’s felony conviction, saying it was being used by the former president’s enemies to damage his chances of re-election.