Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump following his 2024 U.S. election victory, praising him as “courageous” and expressing openness to dialogue on resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin commended Trump’s “manly” response to challenges during his campaign, including an assassination attempt. Highlighting Trump’s campaign promise to resolve the Ukraine war swiftly, Putin remarked that Trump’s approach “deserves attention” and indicated a willingness to discuss the conflict if Trump initiates talks once in office.
The comments suggest a potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations as Trump prepares to take office in January. However, the specifics of Trump’s plan remain unclear, leaving analysts and Ukrainian officials wary of potential implications for the region.