Putin's government just accused Obama of 'Russophobia'

Russian President Vladimir Putin's government didn't take kindly to President Obama criticizing Donald Trump's praise for Putin. On Wednesday, a day after Obama delivered a speech blasting Trump for viewing Putin as a "role model," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a statement calling the remarks "electoral-style rhetoric" that wouldn't bode well for the U.S. and Russia's future relations. "Sadly, we see the continuation of this blatant Russophobia. All we can do is express our regrets in this regard," Peskov said. "Let's put it this way: Such statements will hardly help the shy and very fragile attempts at building at least some mutual trust [between the U.S. and Russia]."
In particular, Obama hit Trump for praising Putin's "82 percent" approval rating, which Obama contended is "what happens" when "you control the media and you've taken away everybody's civil liberties, and you jail dissidents." Trump has repeatedly praised Putin throughout his campaign, appearing on a Russian state-owned television network and applauding Putin's "very strong control over a country."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Do we need more right-wing scientists?
Talking Point Academics have a 'responsibility' to demonstrate why research matters to people who are not politically left-leaning, says Wellcome boss
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A missile garden, a line of lava, and more
-
Sweden's Soft Hooligans: the fans who brought 'good vibes' to the Euros
Under the Radar Formed to create a fun fan atmosphere, the Swedish football supporter group has been bringing the party to the championship
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life