Putin: US Capitol unrest was merely a 'stroll'
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday characterized the January insurrection at the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump as a stroll. Putin made the comment in a meeting on increasing investment activity, during which he said Russia is interested in stability in the United States. The Capitol riots had resulted in the death of five people, including a police officer.
'We are interested in stable relations with our main partners'
"Out of the people who took a stroll to the US Congress, 150 people were arrested. Will all these internal controversies end there or not? We want them to end because we are interested in stable relations with all our main partners," Putin said.
More than 300 Trump supporters have been charged
More than 300 Trump supporters have been charged with a range of crimes that carry a potential maximum prison sentence of 20 years. However, they would be unlikely to serve such a hefty sentence if convicted. The rioters, who contended that Trump was the true winner of the 2020 election, were trying to prevent the US Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's win.
What had happened during the riots?
Trump supporters had managed to rupture the security set along the perimeter of Capitol - they threw barricades aside and smashed windows. Security forces took out guns while the National Guard troops were called in to control the crowd. The rioters were armed as well, and as per reports, law enforcement agencies said that improvised explosive devices were found on Capitol grounds.
Trump became first US President to face impeachment trial twice
Following the "incitement of insurrection" at Capitol, Trump became the second US President to face an impeachment trial. A majority in the House of Representatives had voted to impeach Trump, just a week before he was slated to exit office to make way for President Joe Biden. However, he was acquitted after the Senate fell 10 votes short of the 67 required for conviction.
