Putin Congratulates Trump on Election Victory, Both Signal Openness to Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election, expressing openness to engage in talks.
Trump, who defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, also indicated a willingness to connect with Putin as he begins to communicate with world leaders following his election win.
Putin Ready for Talks with Trump
Speaking at the Valdai forum in Sochi, Putin extended his congratulations, stating, “I take this opportunity to congratulate him.” When asked if he was open to discussions with Trump, the Russian president responded simply, “Ready.”
Trump, in an interview with NBC News, hinted at future interactions, saying, “I think we’ll speak,” when discussing his outreach to world leaders. Although Trump noted he had spoken with approximately 70 global leaders since his victory, he mentioned he had yet to connect directly with Putin. During his comments, Putin playfully hinted at a preference for Harris, though Moscow has historically welcomed Trump’s unconventional approach to politics.
History of Putin-Trump Relations
Putin’s support aligns with reports that Russia views Trump’s presidency as beneficial, seeing his anti-establishment stance as a disruption to traditional American foreign policy. A recent book by investigative reporter Bob Woodward claimed that Trump and Putin remained in occasional contact during Joe Biden’s tenure, with Trump reportedly sending Covid test kits to Russia early in the pandemic.
Acknowledgment of Trump’s “Courage”
Putin also praised Trump’s resilience during a rally incident earlier this year, where an assassination attempt was made. “He turned out to be a courageous person,” Putin remarked, adding, “People show who they are in extraordinary circumstances… and he showed himself, in my opinion, courageously.”
The possibility of renewed dialogue between Putin and Trump signals potential shifts in U.S.-Russia relations, following years of strained interactions under Biden.
