US President Barack Obama voices concern about US vulnerability to Russia

US President Barack Obama holds an end-year press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, December 16, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

US President Barack Obama has warned that America is becoming increasingly vulnerable to Russia because the American people are giving up on their values.

Bombarded with questions about Russia during his end-year news conference on Friday, Obama said he was worried about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s influence on the American public.

“They are a smaller country, they are a weaker country, their economy doesn't produce anything that people want to buy except for oil and gas and arms. They don't innovate. But they can impact us if we lose track of who we are,” Obama said.

“Mr. Putin can weaken us just like he's trying to weaken Europe if we start buying into notions that it's OK to intimidate the press or lock up dissidents or discriminate against people because of their faith or what they look like,” added the outgoing president.

"Our vulnerability to Russia or any other foreign power is directly related to how divided, partisan, dysfunctional our political process is," Obama said. "That's the thing that makes us vulnerable."

Former president Reagan ‘rolling in grave’

Pointing to a recent poll by The Economist/YouGov, which showed 37 percent of Republicans approve of Putin, Obama said, “[Former President] Ronald Reagan was rolling in his grave” over the result.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo by AFP)

Obama then repeated claims that the recent hacking attacks against some Democratic organizations were carried out by Russia as part of Moscow’s plan to interfere in the presidential election and help Republican Donald Trump defeat his rival Hillary Clinton.

According to Obama, the CIA and other US intelligence agencies were in possession of evidence that shows Putin supervised the hacks, which targeted the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and John Podesta, a top aide to Clinton.

Obama said that "not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin,” noting a report by the US intelligence community was going to clarify that before he lives office in January.

In a direct warning to Putin, Obama said Washington would respond if the attacks continue.

Russia has denied the accusations, urging the US to either release its evidence or stop the tirade.

"Our goal continues to be to send a clear message to Russia or others not to do this to us because we can do stuff to you. But it is also important for us to do that in a thoughtful methodical way. Some of it we do publicly. Some of it we will do in a way that they know but not everybody will," Obama said.

 Donald Trump (Photo by AFP)

On Trump’s controversial stance on Russia and his willingness to work with Putin, he said the incoming president was in the “transition mode” and would take a tougher line once he gets past the “sobering process” and takes office.

He refused to comment on Trump’s nomination of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, who has done business with Russia.