Putin Expresses Willingness to Reconnect with Trump Amid Global Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential elections, signaling that he is open to reestablishing communication with the newly elected American leader.

Speaking at the Valdai Forum, Putin stated that he would have no reservations about engaging with Trump, highlighting the former U.S. president’s remarkable resilience following an assassination attempt. He praised Trump’s courage and described his efforts to restore relations between Russia and the U.S. as well as his potential role in resolving the ongoing Ukraine crisis as commendable.

“Reaching out to President Trump would not be inappropriate,” Putin remarked, adding that there was no obstacle to renewing bilateral ties. He further emphasized that Trump’s desire to rebuild U.S.-Russia relations was a positive step, deserving of attention.

This statement from Putin comes amidst growing global concerns over Russia’s security posture. The Russian president has warned that certain Western leaders are attempting to orchestrate Russia’s strategic defeat, but reassured that the country has modernized defense capabilities to safeguard its interests. He also made it clear that no guarantees could be made regarding the non-use of these advanced weapons in the event of threats.

Trump, who has expressed interest in speaking with Putin since his election win, previously revealed that he had conversed with over 70 international leaders but had yet to speak with the Russian president. However, Trump confirmed that he plans to reach out to Putin in the near future.