Russian President Vladimir Putin has echoed Donald Trump's claim that the four criminal indictments the former US leader faces amount to political persecution, saying the cases expose the “rottenness” of the American political system.
Mr Putin, who has a long track record of persecuting political rivals including Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, also said he did not expect any change in US foreign policy towards Russia regardless of who wins the 2024 presidential election.
Mr Trump is currently facing one state-level and three federal indictments, including two that accuse him of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election that he lost to Democrat Joe Biden by more than seven million votes.
The former president, who is favourite to win the Republican nomination to run again next year, has pleaded not guilty and has described the prosecutions as a political witch hunt.
“As for the persecution of Trump, for us, in the current environment, it's good because it shows the rottenness of the American system,” Mr Putin said at an economic forum in the far eastern city of Vladivostok.
“It is a politically motivated persecution of one's competitor.”
As president, Mr Trump was investigated for possible collusion with Russia but special counsel Robert Mueller did not find sufficient evidence that his campaign had co-ordinated with Moscow to influence the 2016 election in which he defeated Hillary Clinton.
The Kremlin has repeatedly spoken out in defence of the former president.
Relations between Washington and Moscow, strained by a litany of issues under Mr Putin, have hit new lows since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
Mr Putin said he did not expect any change in US foreign policy towards Russia regardless of “whoever will be elected president” next year.
He accused Washington of stoking anti-Russian feelings among ordinary Americans.
“Current authorities have directed American society in an anti-Russian spirit,” the Russian leader said.
“They've done it and now somehow turning this ship in the other direction will be very difficult.”
Mr Trump last year called Mr Putin's invasion of Ukraine “genius” and said it would have never happened “in a million years” if he were still president because he knows the Russian leader “very well”.
The Republican leader has claimed, without elaborating, that he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours.
One hundred days of the Ukraine counter-offensive – in pictures
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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LAST 16
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PLUS
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
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BIG SPENDERS
Premier League clubs spent £230 million (Dh1.15 billion) on January transfers, the second-highest total for the mid-season window, the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said in a report.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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More on animal trafficking
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets