Putin rejects charges of Russian meddling in UK politics, praises Johnson

By Andrew Osborn and Vladimir Soldatkin

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow, Russia December 19, 2019. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Thursday rejected allegations of Russian interference in British politics and praised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for better understanding the mood of British society on Brexit than his political rivals.

 

Relations between London and Moscow remain strained over everything from the 2018 poisoning in England of a former Russian spy and his daughter to Syria and Ukraine.

 

Putin, fielding questions from reporters at his annual news conference, was asked about an unpublished British parliamentary report into allegations Russia had attempted to interfere in British politics, something the Kremlin has repeatedly denied.

 

President Vladimir Putin rejected the idea that Russia meddled in British politics and praised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for better understanding the mood of British society on Brexit than his political rivals. Francesca Lynagh reports.

 

"As regards (Russian) interference or non-interference, we've heard many times from official governing bodies in various countries, including Britain, assessments of what is happening inside Russia. Is that interference?" said Putin.

 

"We reserve the right to behave in the same way towards you. If you think that is interference, then keep thinking that. But it has nothing at all to do with interference."

 

Reminded by a BBC reporter that Johnson had once compared him to Dobby the House Elf from the Harry Potter films, Putin said he didn't care.

 

"I know what my country's interests are. And whatever anyone has said about me has no importance when compared to the fundamental tasks that Russia is interested in solving," he said.

 

Citing unnamed British business people and investors whom he said Russia regarded as friends, Putin said he believed London was interested in forging stronger economic ties with Moscow.

 

"We value this and are doing everything to support them so that they feel like they are at home here," he said.

 

And despite being reminded of Johnson's elf joke about him, Putin had warm words for the British politician.

 

"As regards what's happening now, it's possible to congratulate Johnson. He turned out to be the victor after all (in this month's British election) and better grasped the mood in British society than his opponents," said Putin.

 

"And as I understand it, he intends to go through with all of his Brexit plans."

 

(Reporting by Reuters reporters; Editing by Catherine Evans)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-20

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Putin is a smart guy.

Why would he praise the leaders of the US and the UK?

Because those leader do such a good job to make the UK and US strong? Or might there be other reasons?

But I am sure Donald and Boris and delighted to be praised...

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Citing unnamed British business people and investors whom he said Russia regarded as friends, Putin said he believed London was interested in forging stronger economic ties with Moscow.

Agree and I hope so and with China too, people want peace not govt actuations and tromble. 

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Putin is a smart guy.

Why would he praise the leaders of the US and the UK?

Because those leader do such a good job to make the UK and US strong? Or might there be other reasons?

But I am sure Donald and Boris and delighted to be praised...

 

Well at there's one leader and politician in the world that is being like a sensible adult. 

I believe Vlad on this one. He didn’t need to lift a finger. Jeremy Corbyn managed all by himself to make the burning dung heap Conservative party electable.

Remember Boris' stint as Foreign Secretary, immediately accused Moscow of poisoning Skripals ....... Corbyn lambasted for saying hang on, due diligence let's prove it first (Porton Down tests, OPCW) which EU countries also hesitated upon. Was Boris blabbing too early, or scoring for being direct? How does Putin really regard him?

13 minutes ago, Nanglon said:

Remember Boris' stint as Foreign Secretary, immediately accused Moscow of poisoning Skripals ....... Corbyn lambasted for saying hang on, due diligence let's prove it first (Porton Down tests, OPCW) which EU countries also hesitated upon. Was Boris blabbing too early, or scoring for being direct? How does Putin really regard him?

Well Johnson did celebrate his election victory with the son of the former First Chief Directorate of the KGB so I presume there is a bit of warmth between them. 

Respect for sure; slight unpredictability but he might enjoy the challenge of out-thinking Cummings!

The thing was he was a-spire-ing to get Corbyn through the door but he wouldn't touch the handle???? 

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Putin is a smart guy.

Why would he praise the leaders of the US and the UK?

Because those leader do such a good job to make the UK and US strong? Or might there be other reasons?

But I am sure Donald and Boris and delighted to be praised...

 

 

Or perhaps it's because both Trump and Boris are anti EU. Putin sees the EU as the bigger, much bigger threat. The old my enemies enemies are my friends mantra.

 

 

9 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

Or perhaps it's because both Trump and Boris are anti EU. Putin sees the EU as the bigger, much bigger threat. The old my enemies enemies are my friends mantra.

Sure, it's in Putin's interest that the others are not so strong. And obviously the bigger the others are the more important they are in Putin's thinking. Putin will like it when the USA, the EU and the NATO lose power.

I am sure he would also like when the UK loses power. But the UK is anyhow relative small. So a weaker EU and stronger UK is still better than a stronger EU.

But currently it seems Putin gets a weaker USA, EU, NATO, UK and more. Great times for Putin.

The fact that this gangster is super happy about Brexit should tell you everything you need to know about Brexit.

 

Just now, johnnybangkok said:

The fact that this gangster is super happy about Brexit should tell you everything you need to know about Brexit.

 

Daftest post of the week.....????....Well done......????

 

Putin praises PM, in the face of PM's rivals

aka the Opposition...

 

 

we never hear of Putin's 'rivals' 

are they out of prison yet?

For once America and Russia are on the same page, they both want the EU weakened and the US wants a strong grip on the UK as a bonus.

A post using a trolling representation of Boris Johnson's name has been removed. 

2 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

The fact that this gangster is super happy about Brexit should tell you everything you need to know about Brexit.

 

Totally ridiculous. Find a grown up to help you before you post again.

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

For once America and Russia are on the same page, they both want the EU weakened and the US wants a strong grip on the UK as a bonus.

Sadly it won't be the US but the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party who own us, Trump or no Trump.

2 hours ago, transam said:

Daftest post of the week.....????....Well done......????

 

 

2 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

The fact that this gangster is super happy about Brexit should tell you everything you need to know about Brexit.

 

 

41 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Totally ridiculous. Find a grown up to help you before you post again.

Well said Johnny Bangkok. The fact that you have received two pathetic, and abusive replies with no reasoned argument to them, confirms that you have hit the nail on the head. 

 

It is blindingly obvious that Putin has been pro Brexit all along, nearly everything he has said on the subject confirms that. He probably doesn't care about the damage that it will do to UK PLC, we've seen a host of businesses leaving already, but to him UK is small fish. weakening the EU is more important. 

 

Maybe Thingamabob you forgot to find a grown up to help you when you posted this time - a pity.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Totally ridiculous. Find a grown up to help you before you post again.

I will.

Do you know any?