The Kremlin claims to have no favorite in the race for the White House between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. But are these statements enough to erase suspicions of Russian interference in the election?
While the campaign for the American presidential election is in full swing, the question of foreign interference, particularly Russian, remains at the heart of concerns. In this tense context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov wanted to clarify Moscow’s position. In an interview with Turkish media, he said that Russia had “no preference” between the two main contenders for the White House: current Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump.
Neutrality displayed despite the accusations
These declarations come at a time when Russia is regularly accused of seeking to influence the American electoral processas was already the case in 2016. Suspicions reinforced by the recent revelation, by the IT giant Microsoft, of multiple disinformation operations targeting Kamala Harris’ campaign. Faced with these allegations, Sergei Lavrov is categorical:
At the time, the Trump administration had adopted the most anti-Russian sanctions compared to its predecessors.
– Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister
The head of Russian diplomacy goes even further, estimating that under the presidency of Joe Biden, of which Kamala Harris is vice-president, Russian-American relations have never been so tenseeven bordering, according to him, on a “direct military conflict”.
Trump-Putin, an ambiguous relationship
If Russia therefore assures that it does not support any candidate, it is clear that the ties between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have often been described as ambiguous. A closeness that the Russian leader has not completely denied, even recently welcoming the “sincerity” of Donald Trump in his desire to end the conflict in Ukraine. A position that contrasts with the firmness displayed by the Democratic administration on this issue.
Towards a thaw in relations?
In the end, Vladimir Putin seems above all to be waiting to see what will be the attitude of the next tenant of the White House before deciding on a possible improvement in bilateral relations. An understandable caution given the numerous geopolitical issues and disputes between the two powers, from Ukraine to the arms race and human rights.
Despite Moscow’s denials, it is therefore likely that the Kremlin will follow the progress of this very particular American presidential campaign with the greatest attention. And that he secretly hopes, without necessarily proclaiming it loud and clear, the election of a more conciliatory president in order to see international sanctions eased and its influence regain color on the world stage.
The stakes of a crucial election
Beyond Russia, it is the whole world which will be suspended by the verdict of the American ballot boxes on November 5. Because the choice that voters make will have a decisive impact on many burning issues:
- Management of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recovery
- The fight against global warming
- Trade relations, particularly with China
- The place of the United States on the international scene
So many colossal challenges await the next president, and which will shape the face of the world of tomorrow. In this context, possible external interference appears almost as an epiphenomenon faced with the immensity of the task that awaits the winner. But they remain a thorny subject which will undoubtedly continue to poison the American political debate, and relations between Washington and Moscow, in the months and years to come.
