Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first public comment on the U.S. election, congratulating Donald Trump on his victory and praising his courage during an assassination attempt in July. Putin commended Trump’s bravery in the face of danger, stating that he was impressed by how the president-elect handled the situation.
During an international forum in Sochi, Putin also acknowledged Trump’s desire to restore relations with Russia and help end the Ukrainian crisis. He emphasized the importance of paying attention to Trump’s statements on these issues and expressed interest in working towards improving bilateral relations.
In response to Trump’s claim that he could negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine in 24 hours, the Kremlin welcomed the sentiment but noted that concrete policy steps would be necessary to move forward. Putin expressed uncertainty about what to expect from a second Trump administration, stating that it was up to the president-elect to determine his course of action.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned the possibility of contact between Putin and Trump before the inauguration, as Trump had indicated his intention to reach out to Putin. Peskov highlighted the current strained relationship between the U.S. and Russia, attributing it to Washington’s involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
Despite Trump’s admiration for Putin, the Russian leader pointed out that there were numerous restrictions and sanctions imposed on Russia during Trump’s first term. Putin emphasized the need for the new U.S. leadership to address the current state of relations between the two countries.
Overall, the Kremlin’s cautious approach reflected its perspective on the U.S. election as a choice between two challenging options. While acknowledging Trump’s positive remarks on Russia, Putin highlighted the need for concrete actions to improve relations and address ongoing conflicts. The future of U.S.-Russia ties will depend on the decisions and policies of the incoming administration.
