MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin described US counterpart Joe Biden on Wednesday (Feb 14) as more "predictable" than Donald Trump, but said the Kremlin was prepared to work with whoever wins November's election.

Asked by a journalist who Russia would like to see win in the likely contest between the Democratic incumbent and Republican frontrunner Trump, Mr Putin said: "Biden, he's more experienced. He's predictable, he's an old-school politician."

Mr Putin batted away questions about Mr Biden's age and health, with the President set to turn 82 just weeks after the election.

"When I met Mr Biden three years ago, it's true, people were already talking about his inabilities, but I saw nothing of the sort," said Mr Putin, evidently referring to a summit in Geneva.

US polls show voters have strong concerns about Mr Biden's age.

The age issue has been compounded by two recent episodes, when Mr Biden confused European leaders with dead predecessors.

The White House was forced to vehemently defend the President's competence last week after a special counsel report described him as an "elderly man with a poor memory".

Mr Biden himself responded angrily to the accusation, but then compounded the problem by mixing up the Presidents of Egypt and Mexico.

Trump, 77, has also mixed up people's names recently, confusing his last rival for the Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley, with former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Mr Putin nonetheless expressed strong opposition to Washington's foreign policy under Mr Biden.

"What we have to examine is the political position, and that of the current administration is extremely harmful and wrong," said Mr Putin.

The Biden administration has led a Western response to come to Ukraine's aid in the two-year conflict with Russia.

The stated preference for Mr Biden comes despite his harsh criticisms of Mr Putin, and after Trump on numerous occasions expressed admiration for the Kremlin leader.

The Republican also ran into fierce criticism after recently suggesting that he would encourage Russia to attack any North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) country which he thought had not paid enough money to support the alliance. AFP