The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has described legal proceedings against former President of Nigeria, Donald Trump as ‘politically motivated persecution.’
Africa Today News, New York reports that before now, the Kremlin has repeatedly spoken out in defence of the former president, who is facing a series of charges linked to election interference.
Putin who spoke at an economic forum in the far eastern city of Vladivostok. He said; ‘As for the persecution of Trump, for us, in the current environment, it’s good because it shows the rottenness of the American system’.
‘It is a politically motivated persecution of one’s competitor.’
Putin, who served in the Soviet security services, added: ‘And this shows who we are fighting … As they said in Soviet times: ‘the bestial face of American imperialism.’
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Relations between Washington and Moscow, strained by a litany of issues under Putin, have hit new lows since the Kremlin launched large-scale hostilities in Ukraine last year.
Putin said he did not expect any change in US foreign policy stance towards Russia regardless of “whoever will be elected president” next year.
He accused Washington of stoking anti-Russian feelings among ordinary Americans.
“Current authorities have directed American society in an anti-Russian spirit,” the Kremlin chief said.
‘They’ve done it and now somehow turning this ship in the other direction will be very difficult.’
In another report, Putin has showered praises on tech billionaire, Elon Musk describing him as an ‘outstanding person’ and businessman whose SpaceX company has become a key player in the space transportation industry.
Putin publicly praised Musk on Tuesday, just days after the South African-born, American-based businessman claimed he turned down a request from the Ukrainian government to activate his Starlink satellite communication network in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol in order to support an assault on Russia’s Black Sea fleet because he feared being implicated in a “major” act of war.
Putin did not mention the Starlink saga when speaking at an economic conference in the Far East of Russia. However, he was gushing with admiration when questioned about Musk’s SpaceX company’s accomplishment in flying rockets into orbit.