Silke Mayr Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election, describing him as a “courageous man” who faced intense opposition during his previous term in office. Putin also indicated that he would be open to discussing the war in Ukraine with the incoming president.
Putin’s comments, made late Thursday during a speech in Sochi, came shortly after Trump won the election on Tuesday. This marked the Russian leader’s first public reaction to the results, and his remarks focused heavily on Trump’s character and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Trump has often claimed that he could bring the war in Ukraine to an end “in a day,” although he has not provided specifics on how he would achieve that. This has fueled speculation that Trump may attempt to use his reported favorable relationship with Putin to negotiate a peace deal. However, the practicality of such an approach remains uncertain.
In Ukraine, concerns are growing that Trump’s return to the White House could lead to a reduction or suspension of U.S. military aid, which has been vital in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his worries on Wednesday, calling for continued cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine, regardless of who holds the presidency.
During his address, Putin expressed a willingness to talk with Trump about the conflict, stating that he was “ready” for dialogue. He also referred to an assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this year, saying it had made a lasting impression on him.
“Extraordinary circumstances show a person’s true nature,” Putin said. “In that moment, he revealed himself to be very correct, very courageous—like a real man.”
Putin also claimed that Trump had been “hounded by all sides” during his first term in office. This statement could resonate with Trump, who has often portrayed himself as the target of unfair attacks, from allegations of election interference to his ongoing legal battles.
Trump has long expressed admiration for Putin, and a recent book by journalist Bob Woodward suggested that Trump may have had as many as seven private phone calls with Putin since leaving the White House. However, Putin has a history of using flattery, propaganda, and misinformation to further his political goals, leading some to question the sincerity of his words. Notably, during the 2020 U.S. election campaign, Putin suggested he would have preferred Vice President Kamala Harris to win the presidency.
Given Putin’s track record, experts have advised caution when dealing with him. Emily Harding, a former senior investigator with the Senate Intelligence Committee, recently warned, “I would caution any world leader about trusting Vladimir Putin with anything.”
In a Thursday interview with NBC News, Trump confirmed that he had not yet spoken to Putin but expected to have a conversation soon. “I think we’ll speak,” Trump said.