Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday described legal proceedings against former US president Donald Trump as “politically motivated persecution.” The Kremlin, seen has having friendly relations with Trump, has repeatedly spoken out in defence of the former president, who is facing a series of charges linked to election interference. “As for the persecution of Trump, for us, in the current environment, it’s good because it shows the rottenness of the American system,” Putin said at an economic forum in the Far East. “It is a politically motivated persecution of one’s competitor.” Putin, who served in the Soviet security services, added:...