Putin ridicules claims of meddling in US vote

Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said Friday that it is Ambassador Sergei Kislyak’s duty to maintain contacts with various people in Washington.

“President Putin said the other day that Russian Federation doesn’t engage in state-sponsored interference in other countries’ elections”.

Putin’s comments drew laughs from the audience, which had gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia, for an annual economic forum held over three days.

Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, said the U.S. could try and re-enter the deal either after negotiations or have a new agreement “on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers”.

Nicaragua did not think the agreement went far enough, while Syria is in the midst of a civil war.

He did not elaborate, but this was a clear reference to the Russia’s long willingness to share high-end defence technology including missile technology with India, which most other countries restrict.

India is committed to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030 from 2005 levels and to base about 40% of its cumulative electric power installed capacity on non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and low-priced global finance including from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). That gives Putin lots of wiggle room because the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s triggered the collapse of the country’s centrally planned economy, greatly reducing carbon emissions in subsequent years.

Prime Minister Modi also met and interacted with 16 Governors of various provinces of Russian Federation. Putin said. “He’s paid for holding meetings, discussing current affairs”.

The Prime Minister emphasized the role of the private sector in enhancing trade and commerical ties between the two countries, adding that India and Russian Federation are close to achieving the target of 30 billion US dollars worth of investment by 2025.

The leaders of France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement that they regretted the United States’ decision to withdraw from the accord, but affirmed “our strongest commitment” to implement its measures and encouraged “all our partners to speed up their action to combat climate change”. The Russian economy is highly dependent on revenues from oil and gas exports. Putin said to a moderator who asked him about the matter. “Trump’s decision signals business as usual”.

Mr Putin further said that just because Russian Federation has a “special relationship” with India, it does not mean that India should be restricted in having contacts with other “partnering countries”.

He added that in an era of globalisation, “we should help each other as much as we can”.

Despite this, European Council president Donald Tusk said the USA had made “a big mistake” in backing out of the deal.