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Kremlin urges US presidential hopefuls not sacrifice ties with Russia to electioneering

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov made this statement commenting on the words by one of the presidential candidates Jeb Bush, who criticized President Vladimir Putin’s policies
US presidential candidates seen during Republican presidential debate AP Photo/John Locher
US presidential candidates seen during Republican presidential debate
© AP Photo/John Locher

MOSCOW, December 21. /TASS/. The Kremlin regrets US presidential candidates in their rhetoric sometimes sacrifice Moscow-Washington relations to time-serving electioneering considerations. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov voiced this opinion while commenting on a statement by one of the presidential candidates Jeb Bush, who criticized President Vladimir Putin’s policies.

"The Russian side has pointed out more than once that we would not like to see bilateral relations between Russia and the United States being used as a sacrificial lamb in election debates," Peskov said.

In reply to Bush’s statements Russia was out to gain a firmer foothold in the international scene Peskov said that "President Putin defends Russia’s interests the world over."

Last Sunday a contender for the US presidency from the Republican Party, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, said that the United States was losing influence in the world, while the Russian president was gaining it. Bush claimed that the Russian leader was challenging the United States and could by no means be regarded as a US ally. Also, Bush strongly criticized Putin for human rights abuse but failed to provide any arguments to back up the charges.