Vladimir Putin has publicly voiced support for Donald Trump’s massive legal case against the BBC, adding an unusual international dimension to an already controversial lawsuit.
During his tightly controlled annual news conference, which lasted more than four and a half hours, the Russian president was asked about Trump’s decision to sue the BBC over its editing of a January 6, 2021 speech. Putin responded bluntly, saying that Trump was “right” to pursue legal action.
Trump is seeking up to $10 billion in damages, arguing that a BBC Panorama programme misrepresented his words in the days leading up to the 2024 U.S. election. The disputed clip showed Trump telling supporters they would walk to the Capitol and “fight like hell,” a moment his legal team claims was selectively edited to portray him as encouraging violence.
According to Trump’s lawyers, the broadcast gave viewers a false and defamatory impression and was designed to mislead audiences worldwide. The BBC has rejected those claims and stated it will defend itself in court, declining further comment while proceedings are ongoing.
Putin’s remarks came amid a wide-ranging event that also focused heavily on the war in Ukraine. The Russian leader claimed Moscow had “fully seized the strategic initiative” and predicted additional territorial gains before the end of the year. He described Russian forces as advancing along the front lines, while Ukrainian troops, he said, were retreating.
Ukraine dominated much of the discussion, reflecting the Kremlin’s effort to shape public perception after nearly four years of conflict. Putin reiterated that Russia was open to peace talks but only if what he called the “root causes” of the war were addressed. His conditions include international recognition of Russian control over occupied regions, including Crimea, as well as Ukraine abandoning its NATO ambitions. Kyiv has consistently rejected these demands.
Putin also dismissed Western warnings about potential Russian aggression toward Europe as exaggerated and politically motivated. He criticized the freezing of Russian assets in Europe, warning it could undermine investor confidence.
The event featured live video questions from across Russia, underscoring the carefully staged nature of the conference. One lighter moment came when a young man used his question to propose to his girlfriend on air. After she reportedly said yes, Putin joked about helping raise money for the wedding.
As Trump’s legal battle with the BBC unfolds, Putin’s endorsement highlights how media disputes, political narratives, and global power struggles are increasingly intersecting on the world stage.
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