MOSCOW

Russia considers the US elections as an internal matter, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday playing down incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump’s first presidential debate, saying this is not among Moscow’s priorities.

Peskov stressed at a press briefing in Moscow that Russia has never interfered in election campaigns and will not do so now.

Russia was dragged into US internal politics in the past, with Moscow being blamed for interfering. However, the US administration conducted an investigation and found nothing, clearing Moscow of any interference, the Kremlin spokesman said.

Commenting on the 90-minute debate between two presidential hopefuls, Biden and Trump, he said this issue is not a priority for the Russian leadership.

When asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin watched the debate, Peskov responded: "I don't think you expect the president of Russia to set an alarm clock, wake up in the morning, and watch the US debate."

However, the Kremlin will learn more about the statements made by both of them during the debates, he said.

In response to the change in EU leadership, Peskov said there are no prospects for improving relations with Russia: "We do not think that European diplomacy will do anything to normalize relations."

Specifically, Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected president of the European Commission, and the new EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaya Kallas, are not supporters of establishing relations with Russia, the Kremlin spokesman said.

As for the upcoming parliamentary elections in France, he said the results would be of Russia’s interest. However, this is an internal matter of the country, he emphasized.

Regarding the upcoming French parliamentary elections, he said the results would be of interest to Russia. However, he emphasized that this is an internal matter of France.

"We see that there is a dynamic associated with the loss of popularity among some political forces, with the growth of popularity among other political forces,” he stated.