Putin congratulates Trump on his election victory in first public comments on the US vote

Russian President Vladimir Putin connected Thursday congratulated Donald Trump connected his predetermination triumph successful his first nationalist remark connected nan U.S. vote, and he praised nan president-elect’s courageousness during nan July assassination attempt.

“His behaviour astatine nan infinitesimal of an effort connected his life near an belief connected me. He turned retired to beryllium a brave man,” Putin said astatine an world forum pursuing a reside successful nan Black Sea edifice of Sochi.

“He manifested himself successful nan very correct way, bravely arsenic a man,” he added.

Putin besides said that what Trump has said “about nan desire to reconstruct relations pinch Russia, to thief extremity nan Ukrainian crisis, successful my opinion, deserves attraction astatine least.”

The Kremlin earlier welcomed Trump’s declare that he could discuss an extremity to nan conflict successful Ukraine “in 24 hours” but emphasized that it will hold for actual argumentation steps.

″I would for illustration to return this opportunity to congratulate him connected his predetermination arsenic president of nan United States of America,” Putin said successful a question-and-answer convention astatine nan conference.

As to what he expects from a 2nd Trump administration, Putin said, “I don’t cognize what will hap now. I person nary idea.”

“For him, this is still his past statesmanlike term. What he will do is his matter,” added Putin, who this twelvemonth began a 5th word that will support him successful powerfulness until 2030 and could activity six much years successful agency aft that.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday nan Kremlin is not ruling retired nan anticipation of interaction betwixt Putin and Trump earlier nan inauguration, fixed that Trump “said he would telephone Putin earlier nan inauguration.”

Peskov has emphasized that Moscow views nan U.S. arsenic an “unfriendly” state that is straight progressive successful nan Ukrainian conflict. He dismissed arguments that Putin’s nonaccomplishment to scope retired quickly to Trump could wounded early ties, saying that Moscow’s relations pinch Washington already are astatine nan “lowest constituent successful history” and arguing that it will beryllium up to nan caller U.S. activity to alteration nan situation.

The Kremlin’s cautious guidelines reflected its position of nan U.S. ballot arsenic a prime betwixt 2 unappealing possibilities. While Trump is known for his admiration of Putin, nan Russian leader has many times noted that during Trump’s first term, location were “so galore restrictions and sanctions against Russia for illustration nary different president has ever introduced earlier him.”