Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his first public response to the U.S. election Thursday, congratulating Donald Trump on his victory while praising the president-elect’s composure during the July assassination attempt.
“His behavior at the moment of an attempt on his life left an impression on me. He turned out to be a brave man,” Putin said during a question-and-answer session at an international forum in Sochi. “He manifested himself in the very correct way, bravely as a man.”
Putin acknowledged Trump’s stated intentions to improve U.S.-Russia relations and resolve the Ukrainian conflict, calling these positions worthy of attention. The Kremlin had previously expressed interest in Trump’s claim that he could end the Ukraine war “in 24 hours,” while emphasizing it would await concrete policy measures.
However, Putin remained noncommittal about future relations. “I don’t know what will happen now. I have no idea,” he said, noting this would be Trump’s final term. Putin, who began his fifth term this year extending to 2030 with the option for six more years, added, “What he will do is his matter.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated possible communication between the leaders before inauguration, referencing Trump’s stated intention to call Putin. However, Peskov maintained Moscow’s classification of the U.S. as an “unfriendly” country directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict.
The Kremlin’s measured response reflects its complex view of U.S.-Russia relations. While acknowledging Trump’s expressed admiration for Putin, the Russian leader has noted that Trump’s first term saw unprecedented sanctions against Russia. “So many restrictions and sanctions against Russia like no other president has ever introduced before him,” Putin has previously stated.
Peskov dismissed concerns about delayed congratulations affecting future relations, stating that U.S.-Russia ties are already at their “lowest point in history” and suggesting any improvement would depend on the new U.S. administration’s initiatives.
