Russian President Vladimir Putin blasts Donald Trump criminal charges as political ‘persecution’

Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted the criminal charges leveled against Donald Trump — saying it puts the “rottenness of the American political system” on full display.

Speaking at Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Tuesday, Putin said the US now can no longer “claim to teach others about democracy.”

“What’s happening with Trump is a persecution of a political rival for political motives,” Putin, who has ruled Russia for roughly two decades, seethed.