Amid allegations of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails was a public service.
"The important thing is the content that was given to the public," he said in an interview with Bloomberg published Friday. But he denied U.S. accusations that Russia's government was involved in the email hack.
U.S. officials and cybersecurity firms have said there is evidence Russia was behind the security breach that resulted in the release of thousands of emails that appeared to show the DNC favored Hillary Clinton for the presidential nomination.
In the interview with Bloomberg, the Russian leader also said the two leading presidential candidates are using "shock tactics" in their election campaigns.
"I don't think they are setting the best example," he told the news agency. He said in the report he would work with either Clinton's or Republican candidate Donald Trump's administration, but did not endorse either one.
Putin also told Bloomberg that Russia and the U.S. are close to striking a deal on fighting terrorists in Syria.
Read the interview on Bloomberg here.