A Russian official said President Vladimir Putin was joking when he said he wanted Vice President Kamala Harris to win in November. 

Mr. Putin expressed that endorsement this month, noting that a change in sanctions against Russia could come should she be elected.

Now Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is walking back Mr. Putin’s statement.

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“It was a joke,” Mr. Lavrov said in an interview with Sky News Arabia that was posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website Friday. “President Putin has a good sense of humor. He often jokes during his statements and interviews.”

“I see no long-term differences in our attitude to the current or previous elections in the United States, because it is ruled by the notorious deep state,” he continued. 

In response to Mr. Putin’s previous comments, the White House rejected any support from the Russian autocrat and said he should stop weighing in on the election.

Previously, Mr. Putin said he preferred President Biden, whom he called “predictable,” over former President Donald Trump.

Mr. Putin and his war against Ukraine became a flashpoint during the debate between Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump this month, so much so that the Russian autocrat’s spokesperson requested that the dueling candidates “leave our president alone.” 

Mr. Trump vowed during the debate to end the war before he’s inaugurated should he win the White House.

That prompted Ms. Harris to accuse Mr. Trump of wanting to “just give it up” to Mr. Putin, adding that the Russian president would “eat you for lunch.” 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slated to meet with Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris next week while outlining a “victory plan” to defeat Russia after nearly three years of war. 

He also hopes to visit Mr. Trump, who said he would “probably” meet with the Ukrainian president.