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Russia pretends not to be interested in the US election or to support Harris. However, the Kremlin is quietly waiting for Trump's victory. The Washington Post analyzed what Trump's victory could potentially give Russia.
Trump's international policy is closer to the Kremlin's interests, but his plan to end the war in Ukraine may not be acceptable to Russia. This was reported by The Washington Post.
How Moscow hides its support for Trump
Now in Russia, there is probably the largest support for any of the candidates in recent years of elections. When asked who he prefers - Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, Vladimir Putin answered with a sly smile.
"Our favorite, so to speak, was the current president, Mr. Biden. But he was dropped from the race and recommended that all his supporters support Ms. Harris. Well, that's what we'll do - we'll support her," Putin added with irony in his voice, noting her "expressive and contagious laugh."
Russia pretends not to be interested in the US elections. The humorous remarks of the Russian leader were a light geopolitical hint to disguise Moscow's expectations.
The Kremlin and Russian military intelligence have orchestrated a series of disinformation campaigns against Harris and her vice-presidential running mate, Tim Waltz.
Trump's candidacy is in Moscow's interests, as he has repeatedly criticized US spending on aid to Kyiv. In Moscow, however, the mood is currently more restrained than in previous election years.
Certificate: In 2016, the State Duma burst into applause after the announcement of Donald Trump's election victory. Russian propagandists called Trump's victory a new era in relations between the United States and Russia.
Harris is often portrayed in the Russian media as incompetent. Propagandists mock her laughter, while the news repeats misinformation about alleged adultery and accusations of supporting a "radical LGBTQ+ agenda."
What Trump's victory can give Russia
Trump hinted that he would like to improve relations with Russia, repeatedly asserted that he is capable of ending the war in Ukraine in one day. However, few in Moscow believe that Trump will be able to make a complete turnaround in relations, since no significant changes took place during his first term. Anonymous Russian officials told the Washington Post about this.
In Moscow, they understand that the arrival of Trump will not mean good relations with the United States, but they like his policy more. If Trump wins the election, there may be a chance to end the war with Ukraine on Moscow's terms.
If Harris wins, it is expected that support for Ukraine will remain at the same strong level.
In September, the US Department of Justice released documents that contained an internal plan by Kremlin political strategists to ensure the victory of "Political Party A" because its views include "clauses for peace in Ukraine in exchange for territory" and "returning troops home from various parts of the world, etc." This is entirely in line with the Republican Party.
Eric Chiaramella, a former employee of the White House, and now an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, commented on the situation.
They clearly prefer a Trump victory. He is more open to forcing Ukraine to make concessions and make a bad deal with Russia to end the war,
he says.
He added that Trump can harm the image of the USA abroad, which is also in the interests of Moscow.
Trump's victory may still carry risks for Russia. It is not known whether Putin will agree to Trump's proposal to end the war. Refusal can lead to a strained relationship between them.
What are Trump's plans for Ukraine
Although Trump did not directly disclose specific plans for negotiations with Russia, he repeatedly stated that he could end the war with a few phone calls.
J.D. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, proposed a plan in which Russia would retain the captured territories and create a demilitarized buffer zone along the current front line. He also stated that Ukraine should accept neutrality.
Two of Trump's former advisers, Fred Fleitz and retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, have also proposed a plan that calls for a temporary ceasefire along the current front line, with Ukraine barring further supplies of Western weapons if it refuses to negotiate with Russia.
However, Russia may not agree to such conditions, explains Tetyana Stanova, a senior researcher at the Center for Russia and Eurasia of the Carnegie Endowment.
For Putin, this is a very bad scenario. Putin does not want territories. He wants Ukraine
- she noted.
She adds that a series of meetings and negotiations between Russia and the US regarding Ukraine may take place, but they will eventually come to an impasse.
Putin will not be satisfied until the US agrees to restore relations with Russia, taking into account its geopolitical interests, and reshape the global security map. Currently, Russia is only really interested in making the USA as bad as possible.
