In a recent interview with the RIA state news agency and Rossiya-1 state television channel, Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed that former U.S. President Donald Trump scolded him for "sympathizing" with Joe Biden during his presidency. The conversation came up when asked about his role in the 2024 U.S. election campaign trail, where both Trump and Biden have mentioned him in their speeches.

The discussion, led by interviewer Dmitry Kiselyov, a Kremlin propagandist appointed by Putin, centered on the Russian leader's preference for Biden's leadership. Putin had previously stated in a February interview that Biden's experience and predictability made him a better choice for Russia, leading Kremlin propagandists to accuse him of trolling both Democratic and Republican contenders.

Responding to Kiselyov's assertion that his comments added "fuel to the fire," Putin emphasized that Russia does not interfere in any elections and will work with any leader trusted by the American people. He went on to share an intriguing revelation, stating, "In the last year of his work as president, Mr. Trump, today's presidential candidate, reproached me for sympathizing with Biden. He asked me in one of the conversations, 'Do you want Sleepy Joe to win?'"

Expressing surprise at the subsequent persecution of Trump, Putin dismissed allegations of Russian support for the former president, labeling them "complete nonsense." He further criticized the increasingly uncivilized nature of the U.S. election campaign trail, suggesting that the American political system cannot claim to be democratic in every sense of the word.

During the interview, Kiselyov also inquired about Russia's readiness for a nuclear war, positing that preparedness reduces the likelihood of such an event. Putin responded confidently, stating that from a military-technical standpoint, Russia is indeed ready. He highlighted the country's modern nuclear triad, which includes nuclear-capable land-based missiles, submarines, and aircraft, emphasizing its superiority compared to other nations.

The interview took place ahead of Russia's presidential election, scheduled to begin on Friday. With tight control and an anticipated majority victory for Putin, the election outcome seems predictable.

As of now, there has been no response from the White House or the Trump team regarding Putin's claims. Newsweek has reached out to both parties for comment.

This article was updated on March 13, 2024, at 3:30 a.m. ET to include additional information.