Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, praising him for his resilience and congratulating him on his recent election victory.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate him,” Putin stated during an address at the Valdai forum in Sochi, a city in southern Russia.
When questioned about the possibility of holding talks with Trump, Putin’s response was clear: “Ready.”
Before the U.S. presidential election, Putin had indicated a preference for seeing President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House, suggesting that their leadership might align better with Russia’s strategic interests.
However, Moscow has historically been viewed as supportive of Trump due to his anti-establishment stance and the disruption he brought to both American and global political norms.
Russia was widely accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to assist Trump’s campaign against Hillary Clinton, allegations the Kremlin has consistently denied.
On Thursday, Putin also remarked on Trump’s composure during an attempted attack at a rally earlier this year, commending him for his response.
“He proved himself to be a courageous person,” Putin said. “People reveal their true character under extraordinary circumstances. In my view, he demonstrated bravery and conducted himself appropriately. Like a true man,” he added.
Naijaonpoint reports that Trump had defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in a hard fought election on Tuesday.