Vladimir Putin has yet congratulated Donald Trump connected his US predetermination triumph - and described him arsenic “manly” successful nan process.
The Russian president collapsed his soundlessness connected nan Republican’s crushing triumph complete Kamala Harris astatine nan yearly gathering of nan Valdai Club successful Sochi.
Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said connected Wednesday that while his leader was unfastened to speech pinch nan States, he was “not alert of nan president’s plans to congratulate Trump”.
It was past reported that Trump did person informal congratulations from “acquaintances” astir Putin and his apical officials.
But speaking connected Thursday, Putin said: “I would for illustration to return this opportunity to congratulate him connected his triumph successful nan US statesmanlike election. I person already said that we will activity pinch immoderate caput of authorities who is trusted by nan American people.”
He past went connected to praise nan president-elect’s consequence to being changeable during an assassination effort successful July.
“He turned retired to beryllium a courageous man,” nan Russian leader said. “He showed himself, successful my opinion, successful a very correct way: courageous, manly.”
His comments will beryllium seen arsenic nan rekindling of nan narration nan brace enjoyed during Trump’s first word successful office.
Trump has spoken favourably of Putin complete nan years – calling his penetration of Ukraine “genius” and “savvy”, and not denying reporting that they’ve spoken complete nan phone since he near nan White House successful 2020.
Trump has besides claimed he tin extremity nan warfare successful Ukraine successful 1 time - sparking fears that he will heap unit connected Kyiv to springiness up territory it has already mislaid to Russia since nan 2022 invasion.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, besides admitted that Trump’s triumph was “useful” for Putin.
Posting connected his charismatic Telegram account, he said: “Trump has 1 useful value for us: arsenic a businessman to nan core, he mortally dislikes spending money connected various hangers–on and stupid hanger-on allies, connected bad kindness projects and connected voracious world organisations.”
Suggesting Trump would not want to walk money connected nan Ukrainian authorities, he continued: “The mobility is really overmuch Trump will beryllium forced to springiness to nan war. He’s stubborn, but nan strategy is stronger.”