Sochi (Web Desk/Agencies): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the 2024 US presidential election and expressed Russia’s willingness to engage with the newly elected Republican leader.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, President Putin made his first public statement since Trump’s win.
He commended Trump’s handling of an incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania earlier in the year, where a gunman opened fire. Putin praised Trump’s courage in responding to the attack, describing his actions as "brave" and "the mark of a real man."
"He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man," Putin said. "I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election."
The Russian president also highlighted Trump’s campaign statements regarding Ukraine and the potential for improving US-Russia relations.
Putin pointed out that Trump’s expressed intention to mend ties with Moscow and end the conflict in Ukraine deserved attention.
“What was said about the desire to restore relations with Russia, to bring about the end of the Ukrainian crisis, in my opinion, this deserves attention at least,” Putin remarked.
During his campaign, Trump had claimed he could resolve the Ukraine conflict “within 24 hours” if elected, although he did not provide specific details on how he would achieve such a rapid resolution to the ongoing war.
While Putin expressed a cautiously optimistic tone, he also noted uncertainty about how things would unfold under Trump’s leadership. “I do not know what is going to happen now. I have no clue,” he said when asked about the potential future of US-Russia relations.
When asked if he would be open to meeting with Trump, Putin confirmed that he would be willing to resume diplomatic talks, should the new administration reach out.
“If the Trump administration wants this, we are ready for discussions,” the Russian president stated.
Putin also addressed the ongoing rumours about Trump’s alleged connections to Russia.
Both Trump and Moscow have consistently dismissed the notion that the US president had any undue influence or was a “Russian agent.”
During his first term, Trump often took a hardline approach to Russia, but relations remained complex and marked by both cooperation and confrontation.
The 2019 investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, into potential Russian interference in the 2016 election, and the possibility of collusion with Trump’s campaign, ultimately concluded with no evidence of conspiracy.
Moscow has also repeatedly denied allegations that it interfered in the 2024 US election or spread disinformation in an effort to influence the political process.
Putin’s comments on Thursday emphasized Russia's hopes for renewed relations with Trump’s administration, while also acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding how the US would navigate its foreign policy in the coming years.