Vladimir Putin has denied that Russia has interfered in the US election, claiming that those who believed Moscow could influence the vote were implying the US was a “banana republic”. Putin dismissed claims of Russian meddling as “hysteria” and lectured the US on democracy. He also denied that Donald Trump was the Kremlin’s favoured candidate, though he praised the tycoon’s controversial campaign. Asked whether Trump was the Kremlin’s favourite, Putin said this was a fake narrative cooked up by western media. Putin also praised Trump’s style and campaign: “He chose his own way of reaching voters’ hearts.

Source: The Guardian October 27, 2016 17:02 UTC