Putin Now Says He Prefers Biden over Trump. The White House Tells Him to Stop Stirring the Pot

Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have changed his tune when it comes to his favorite U.S. president — drawing dismay from the White House.

Putin, who has previously showered former President Donald Trump with praise, appeared to endorse President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election during an interview with a Russian propagandist reporter.

When asked which candidate would be better for Russia, Putin said, per Politico, “Biden. He is a more experienced, predictable person. He is a politician of the old school.”

“But we will work with any leader of the United States who is trusted by the American people,” he added.

Putin's comments came out of left field, as Biden has been a fierce critic of the Kremlin who just this week attacked Trump for being too willing to side with Russia.

During Wednesday's interview, Putin also shared his thoughts about Biden’s mental fitness, saying he didn't notice anything concerning when the pair met in Geneva in 2021. “People were already saying then that he wasn’t up to it. I didn’t see anything of the kind,” Putin said, per NBC News.

“When I met with Biden in Switzerland — it was, indeed, a few years ago, three years — even then there were talks about him being incompetent. I saw nothing of the sort. Yes, he glanced at his notes. Honestly, I glanced at mine too,” Putin added, per Politico. “There’s nothing to it.”

However kind they were, Putin's comments were not taken lightly by the Biden administration. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement to NBC News that “Mr. Putin should stay out of America’s elections.”

Putin has previously praised Trump for his unique views on the U.S. and its allies, and once called him a “non-systemic politician,” according to NBC News. Putin also commended the former president on his plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which escalated in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to overthrow the nation's government.

“We surely hear that Mr. Trump says he will resolve all burning issues within several days, including the Ukrainian crisis. We cannot help but feel happy about it,” Putin said last year.

After Trump was asked by NBC what he thought about Putin’s remarks, he said, per Politico, “Well, I like that he said that. Because that means what I’m saying is right.”

Putin has also expressed that he had “a personal relationship” with Trump during an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and said he could not recall the last time he spoke to Biden.

While Trump has routinely defended Putin, Biden has openly denounced the Russian leader and even called him a “murderous leader” and “pure thug” for his part in the invasion of Ukraine.

After the war began, Biden led a swift response against Russia, calling for tough economic sanctions on the country and leading efforts to provide supplies to Ukrainian soldiers.

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