Putin Claims US Backing Navalny Bid For Russian President

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(RFE/RL) — Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged that anticorruption crusader Aleksei Navalny was being supported by the United States in his election bid.

Putin made the comments, without providing evidence, on January 11 during a televised meeting with top editors and executives from several Russian media outlets.

Navalny, a charismatic lawyer who has built a national following on his campaign to root out government corruption, has been barred by election officials from standing in the March 18 presidential vote, due to a suspended prison sentence. He and his supporters say the prosecution was trumped up and politically motivated.

The United States and European Union condemned the decision to keep Navalny out of the race.

Asked about U.S. criticism of the decision, and allegations that Russia had meddled in U.S. elections, Putin asserted it was the United States who was meddling in Russian affairs. He also avoided even mentioning Navalny by name, something he has sidestepped for months now.

“The individual you mentioned, he is not the only one who hasn’t been allowed [to run]. For some reason they aren’t talking about the other people,” Putin said.

“This obviously shows the preferences of the U.S. administration when it comes to who they want to lead other countries, who they want to move forward in Russian politics, and who they’d like to see in the country’s leadership.”

Putin is widely expected to win another six-year term.

RFE RL

RFE/RL journalists report the news in 21 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established.

One thought on “Putin Claims US Backing Navalny Bid For Russian President

  • January 15, 2018 at 9:23 pm
    Permalink

    MR. President.
    NOT TRUE, there’s no evidence that the US is backing anti-corruption crusader Navalny on his election bid for President, he’s barred anyway due to his suspended sentence.

    I’ve heard nothing if it was the case I would have heard something not true, does Sergey Brin come to mind? ask yourself who has motive, resources and reach? and wreak havoc for no reason only because we’re close, ask yourself Mr. President?

    Who was just talking about a wartime Presidency? that’s the question!

    You’ve already WON, enough said, stay focus on us, ok?

    Reply

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