Russian leader Vladimir Putin congratulated President-elect Trump, marking his first public comments on the US election results during the third hour of his speech at the “Valdai” forum in Moscow.
According to Meduza, citing Telegram channel Faridaily, Putin waited until after discussing topics like inequality, artificial intelligence, and climate change before addressing Trump’s victory—a gesture described by commentators as “almost comically delayed.”
“Everyone initially said he was mainly a businessman who didn’t understand much about politics. First of all, his response during the assassination attempt made an impression on me. He is a courageous man. In terms of politics, my first impression was that he was cornered from all sides, unable to make a move,” Putin said of Trump.
The Russian leader then congratulated Trump on his win, adding that he “has nothing against” resuming contact with the US if Trump initiates it.
“I don’t mind reaching out myself either, but I’m refraining because, for a time, Western leaders would call almost weekly and then abruptly stopped. If they’re not interested, so be it—we’re moving forward, developing. But if someone wants to renew contact, as I’ve always said, we have no objections,” Putin remarked.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the US election results, saying that it will work with the new Administration, “focusing on achieving all the goals of the special military operation.”
On November 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended his congratulations to Trump, calling his win a “historic and decisive victory.”
Donald Trump reached the minimum 270 votes needed to claim the presidency, securing Alaska, Pennsylvania, and other swing states.
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