Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory, calling him a “courageous man”.
Speaking at an occasion within the Russian metropolis of Sochi, the Russian president mentioned Trump had been “persecuted from all sides” throughout his first time period within the White House.
Putin additionally mentioned Trump’s declare that he can assist finish the struggle in Ukraine “deserves no less than consideration.”
During his marketing campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned that he may finish the struggle “in someday,” however he by no means defined how this might occur.
During his speech, which lasted a number of hours and touched on probably the most disparate subjects, Putin additionally spoke concerning the assault on Donald Trump in July, saying that it “made an impression on him”.
After being shot, Trump raised his fist within the air and uttered the phrases “struggle, struggle, struggle,” earlier than being carried away by Secret Service brokers.
“He behaved, in my view, very accurately, courageously, like a person,” Putin mentioned.
Asked if he was prepared to debate with Donald Trump, Putin replied: “We are prepared, we’re prepared.”
Trump had already mentioned Thursday that he was prepared to speak to Putin, telling NBC News, “I feel we’ll speak.”
The Kremlin has been extensively accused of interfering within the 2016 presidential election to spice up Donald Trump’s marketing campaign towards Hilary Clinton, expenses rejected by Moscow.
US particular counsel Robert Mueller investigated allegations of collusion between the Trump marketing campaign and Russia in 2016, however mentioned in a report three years later that he had discovered no proof of conspiracy.
Getty ImagesElsewhere on Thursday, leaders assembly for the European Political Community in Budapest mentioned Trump’s return to the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned he had a “very heat” and “productive” dialog with the president-elect.
“But we should do the whole lot in order that the outcomes of our interplay between Ukraine and America, between all of Europe and America, are productive and optimistic,” he added.
Many in Ukraine and Europe concern that Trump may sluggish, if not cease, the stream of American navy help to Kiev as soon as he takes energy in January.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer secured Zelensky on the summit that the UK’s support for Ukraine in its war with Russia remains “iron”.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – who beforehand mentioned he celebrated Trump’s victory by “fortunately tapping into the provision of vodka” – mentioned the US and Europe now face tough talks on commerce.
Orban, who’s a detailed ally of Trump, mentioned at a information convention that “the commerce difficulty with the United States will come up and it’ll not be simple.”
Before successful the election, Trump mentioned he would impose 10% tariffs on all imports.
“There was an settlement that Europe ought to take better duty for its personal peace and safety sooner or later. To put it much more bluntly, we can’t anticipate Americans to be the one ones to maintain us,” Orban mentioned.
