Putin quips that he ‘supports’ Harris, citing ‘infectious’ laugh

Russian President Vladimir Putin joked Thursday that he is supporting Vice President Harris in the upcoming election, citing her “infectious” laugh and potential to change U.S. sanctions on Russia.

Earlier this year, before President Biden withdrew from the race, Putin said he preferred him over former President Trump because he was a “more predictable” candidate.

The Russian leader said Thursday at an economic forum, that since Biden threw his support behind his vice president, “we will do the same, we will support her.” The audience applauded his remark.

“She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her,” he said lightheartedly at the event in Vladivostok, Russia.

Putin continued, saying Biden has imposed “so many” sanctions against Russia amid its ongoing war with Ukraine, and he suggested Harris could change or lift them if elected in November.

“So, in the end, it will be the choice of the U.S. people, and we will respect this choice,” he said.

Putin was asked if he would call Trump or Harris, whoever wins the election this November, to congratulate them on their victory. He replied that it’s been a long time since he spoke with the leaders in the U.S. or Europe, though they have channels to communicate.

He added that he is “not against” any communication, and “we’re not limiting them.”

U.S. intelligence determined that in 2016, Russia ran a disinformation campaign to boost Trump over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Putin has denied interference in the campaign, according to Reuters.

The Russian president said Thursday it is “not for us to determine these elections [for] the U.S. people.”

Harris campaign spokesperson Ian Sams responded to Putin's latest comments, saying the campaign rejects foreign interference in a U.S. election and condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

"I think everybody knows who dictators and bullies around the world prefer in this election. They prefer President Trump," Sams said on CNN, highlighted by Mediaite. "We reject the kind of divisive, dictatorial leadership that are being offered from people like President Putin."

Sams also said he wouldn't play into the "psyops" with Putin, adding that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "horrible," and Harris and Biden are "rallying the world" against the war. 

"I think that anybody who's been paying attention for the last decade knows where President Putin stands in the election and who his preferred candidate is, regardless of what he may say," Sams said. 

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaigns for comment.

Updated at 12:15 p.m. EDT