Russia, engaged in conflict with Ukraine since February 2022, has responded to Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 US presidential race. The US, under Biden’s leadership, has been providing support to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Ukraine in its struggle against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Following Biden’s announcement on Sunday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted that Russia has other priorities than awaiting the results of the 2024 US presidential election. He stressed that Russia’s primary focus is on Ukraine, not the US. Peskov stated, “For us, reaching the goals of the special military operation [against Ukraine] is a priority, rather than the outcome of the US elections.”
The Kremlin spokesperson reiterated Putin’s earlier remarks from this year, where he had expressed a preference for Biden in the US presidential election, describing him as an “old-school politician” and “more predictable” from Moscow’s perspective. However, Peskov added, “That’s certainly the case, but the elections are still four months ahead. And it’s a long period, over which many things can change.”
Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race has sent shockwaves through US politics. The US president’s decision follows his subpar performance in the debate against the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, on June 27. While Biden attributed his debate struggles to jet lag and international travel, several Democrat lawmakers urged him to withdraw from the presidential race. These lawmakers expressed concerns that Biden’s continued candidacy could cost the Democrats not only the White House but also control of either chamber of Congress next year.
In his withdrawal announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrats’ new presidential candidate.
