MOSCOW, November 5. /TASS/. Neither of the candidates in the US presidential race is likely to improve relations with Russia, although Donald Trump’s stance on the issue appears more reasonable, Russian pilot and human rights activist Konstantin Yaroshenko, a member of the Russian Civic Chamber, told TASS.

Yaroshenko, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the US on drug trafficking charges and exchanged for US citizen Trevor Reed on April 27, 2022, emphasized that there is no genuine expression of the people's will in the US. "It is the electors who choose the US president, not the citizens. Moreover, only those who have close ties to large financial structures and significant financial backing can run for office. Becoming US president is no simple feat," he said.

"Besides, I do not think either of the candidates — Kamala Harris or Donald Trump — will contribute to the establishment of normal relations with Russia. However, Trump is, so to speak, more reasonable in this regard. If I were a US citizen, I would definitely vote for Trump," Yaroshenko added.

He also recalled Trump’s previous position on halting weapons supplies to Ukraine. "Additionally, he had previously voiced some very good ideas, such as reducing NATO’s funding and ending all wars. By and large, during his presidency, there were no major conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and Syria that erupted under Joe Biden. <...> I believe US citizens need to stand up, amend the US Constitution, and overhaul the entire electoral system," he concluded.

The US presidential election is scheduled for November 5. Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are competing for the presidency. Trump, who served as the 45th US president from 2017 to 2021, is seeking a return to the White House after losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Harris has served as vice president since January 2021.