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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations, acknowledging Trump’s courage during an assassination attempt earlier in the campaign and expressing hope for renewed diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Washington. According to a report on Thursday on Reuters, Putin’s remarks were made at the Valdai discussion club in Sochi, where he described Trump’s conduct under threat as that of a “real man” and reiterated Moscow’s readiness to reestablish dialogue with the U.S. if the new administration is open to it.
Reflecting on a July 14th incident at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump faced an assassination attempt, Putin expressed admiration for Trump’s composure, stating, “He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man.” Putin took the opportunity to congratulate Trump on his election win, highlighting the resilience Trump showed in the face of both physical threats and what Putin described as a highly adversarial political environment. Reuters reported that Putin observed Trump had been “hounded by all sides” throughout the campaign, underscoring the contentious nature of the election.
The Russian leader also commented on Trump’s remarks about restoring U.S.-Russia relations and addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to the report on Reuters, Putin acknowledged that Trump’s expressed desire to resolve the Ukraine crisis warranted attention, particularly given the scale and complexity of the conflict, which has become the largest land war in Europe since World War II. “What was said about the desire to restore relations with Russia, to bring about the end of the Ukrainian crisis, in my opinion, this deserves attention at least,” Putin said, while remaining cautious about any concrete outcomes.
Trump, during his campaign, claimed he could achieve peace in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected, although he has yet to provide a detailed plan for accomplishing this ambitious goal. Putin refrained from offering any predictions, remarking, “I do not know what is going to happen now. I have no clue,” according to Reuters. His statement reflects a degree of skepticism, acknowledging the complexity of the situation while signaling a willingness to engage diplomatically if Trump’s administration seeks cooperation.
When asked how he would respond if Trump reached out to suggest a meeting, Putin indicated his openness to resuming contact, saying he was ready for dialogue if that was the intent of the incoming administration. This position was echoed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who noted Russia’s awareness of Trump’s past statements about resolving the Ukraine conflict, even though Peskov acknowledged that Trump might have overstated his ability to broker a swift resolution. Reuters quoted Peskov, who diplomatically downplayed Vice President Kamala Harris’s remark that Putin would “eat Trump for lunch” in any negotiations. With a light-hearted chuckle, Peskov responded, “Putin does not eat people.”
Putin’s comments come as Russia faces growing isolation on the international stage due to its actions in Ukraine, with Western sanctions intensifying and NATO’s influence in the region expanding. According to the report on Reuters, the Kremlin views the potential shift in U.S. leadership as an opportunity to ease tensions and address longstanding issues between Moscow and Washington. For Russia, restoring U.S.-Russia relations could open avenues for economic cooperation, ease sanctions, and potentially bring new perspectives on the Ukraine conflict, which has strained Moscow’s ties with Western powers.
Putin’s cautious optimism and willingness to engage with Trump illustrates the Kremlin’s strategic interest in a stable relationship with the United States, particularly as geopolitical tensions rise across Europe. The Russian leader’s approach signals a readiness to negotiate but also reflects a measured pragmatism, acknowledging that promises made during the campaign season do not necessarily translate into policy.
With Trump’s administration set to take office, Putin’s remarks highlight the potential for recalibrated U.S.-Russia relations. According to Reuters, while Moscow remains wary of premature expectations, Putin’s openness to dialogue represents a shift from recent years of frosty interactions between the two nations. Whether Trump’s presidency will yield a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict or lead to closer cooperation remains uncertain, but both Moscow and Washington appear prepared to explore new avenues of engagement, however cautiously.
For now, the international community watches closely as the leaders of two major powers hint at possible détente, with both cautious optimism and skepticism. As Reuters notes, the next steps in U.S.-Russia relations may well shape the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe and influence global power dynamics for years to come.
