Putin says he has noted Joe Biden’s ‘sharp anti-Russian rhetoric’

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has noted what he described as “sharp anti-Russian rhetoric” from US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, adding, however, that he had been encouraged by the former vice president’s comments on a key nuclear arms control treaty. Putin, in comments on state television on Wednesday weeks before the United States presidential election on November 3, said Moscow would work with any US leader, but praised incumbent President Donald Trump for saying he wanted better ties. “Of course we value this,” said Putin, who also denied once again accusations of Russian meddling in the US election four years ago, when Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. “As far as the candidate from the Democratic Party is concerned … we also see quite sharp anti-Russian rhetoric. Unfortunately, we are used to this,” Putin said in an appearance on state television. But he added that Biden had made what he regarded as encouraging statements on New START, the last significant nuclear arms pact between Russia and the US, which is due to expire in February. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">