Image Source: Agencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the criminal indictment against former US President Donald Trump is a political vendetta that shows the fundamental corruption of the United States.
"Regarding Trump's accusation, I think that what is happening today is good for us, because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot claim to teach democracy to others," Putin said at the Eastern Economic Forum . . meeting in the Russian Pacific coast city of Vladivostok.
"Everything that's happening with Trump is going after a political rival for political reasons. That's how it is. And it's being done in front of the public of the United States and the whole world," he said. Polls show that Trump is by far the strongest candidate for the Republican Party's nomination in the 2024 presidential election. During his four years in the White House, Trump has repeatedly mentioned that he had a good relationship with Putin, while critics said , that he is subject to the Russian leader.

Trump claimed that he would be able to resolve the conflict in Ukraine within days if he returned to the presidency. He did not disclose details of his potential approach.
"We're hearing Trump say he's going to solve pressing problems in a few days, including the Ukraine crisis. Well, it can only bring happiness. That's good, Putin said.
At the same time, the Russian leader said that his country's poor relations with the United States are unlikely to change significantly regardless of who becomes president.

"What to expect from the future, regardless of who the president is, it is difficult for us to say, but it is unlikely that anything will radically change," Putin said.
He argued that the Biden administration has fueled a strong bias against Russia and "it's going to be very difficult for them to turn this whole ship in any other direction." It is planned to hold presidential elections in Russia also in 2024. Putin defended himself on Tuesday when asked if he wanted a second term as president or prime minister after 2000.

"We will talk about it" after Russia's parliament sets an election date, he said.