Putin says Russia supports Kamala Harris for president, makes joke about her laugh

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia wants Vice President Kamala Harris to win the presidential election over former President Donald Trump and made a joke about her "infectious" laugh.

Putin's statement came after the U.S. Justice Department charged two Russian media executives for funding a U.S. entity to advance pro-Russian messaging.

Putin noted that Biden had recommended that his supporters vote for Harris. 

"We will do the same, we will support her," Putin said on-camera to laughter and applause from the audience. 

"She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her," he added, according to a translation from Russian.

With a smile, Putin said Harris' laugh might mean that she will ease some of the sanctions the Biden administration has slapped on Russia since the Ukraine war began.

"Ultimately, the choice is up to the American people, and we will respect that choice," he said.

Trump reacted to Putin's statement, saying he prefers Harris in the White House.