Moscow | President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Sunday (Monday AEST) described the United States as a country gripped by a "deep internal crisis", which he blamed on a refusal by opponents of President Donald Trump to accept his "obvious" 2016 election victory and his legitimacy as leader.

Speaking in his first interview since the coronavirus pandemic hit Russia hard three months ago and forced him to take shelter at his country residence, Mr Putin also pointed to the racial tensions that have put cities across the United States on edge.