Russia's Putin says he prefers 'more predictable' Biden over Trump in U.S. election

• Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Joe Biden would be a better president for Russian relations than Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
• "[Biden] is more experienced and more predictable. He is an 'old school' politician. But we will work with any US leader, elected by the people of America," Putin told journalist Pavel Zarubin, according to Russian state-controlled news outlet Tass.
• In the same interview, Putin appeared to dismiss recently mediatized concerns over Biden's mental acuity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he preferred Joe Biden as the next U.S. president over Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, who fell under intense scrutiny for his relationship with the Kremlin during his presidency.

"[Biden] is more experienced and more predictable. He is an 'old school' politician. But we will work with any US leader, elected by the people of America," Putin told journalist Pavel Zarubin late Wednesday, according to Russian state-controlled news outlet Tass.

The Trump and Biden presidential campaigns did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

Putin's comments followed a week of international controversy over Trump's recent NATO remarks and mounting tensions between U.S. Democrats and Republicans over a $95 billion aid package that includes military aid to Ukraine.

The Kremlin head of state will stand in his own election on 15-17 March, but is widely expected to clinch another presidential mandate after leading Russia as prime minister or head of state since 1999.

In the same interview, Putin also appeared to dismiss recently mediatized concerns over Biden's mental acuity after Department of Justice special counsel Robert Hur said the White House leader "willfully retained and disclosed classified