US President-elect Donald Trump, 78, has yet to engage in direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his election victory this week. However, in an interview with NBC, Trump indicated that a conversation would likely take place soon. His comments came shortly after Putin publicly congratulated him and expressed Russia's readiness for dialogue with the United States.
Putin’s congratulatory message, delivered on Thursday, highlighted the Russian leader's openness to restoring relations with the US. He remarked, “Don’t think it’s wrong to hold a call with Trump. If some world’s leaders seek to restore contacts, I’m not against it. We are ready to speak to Trump.” This statement signals Russia's desire to re-engage diplomatically with the incoming US administration. Putin also reflected on Trump’s expressed intention to improve ties with Russia and his stance on addressing the ongoing Ukrainian crisis. He acknowledged, “What Trump has said about the desire to restore relations with Russia and help end the Ukrainian crisis, in my opinion, deserves attention at least.”
In addition to the diplomatic remarks, Putin offered praise for Trump’s character, particularly regarding the way the former president responded to an assassination attempt in July. Putin described Trump as a “brave man,” noting, "I was impressed by Trump’s behavior during the assassination attempt. He is brave. He did it right, as a man. Not sure what he will do now." This comment highlights the Russian leader’s respect for Trump's handling of the situation, despite the ongoing tension between their respective nations.
While tensions between the US and Russia have been heightened in recent years, particularly due to the US’s strong support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, Putin's remarks suggest a willingness to de-escalate tensions and restore communication. However, Putin also made it clear that the decision to re-establish warmer relations lies largely with the United States, saying that the ball is now in the US’s court. With the world closely watching, it remains to be seen how the incoming administration will respond to Putin's overtures and what direction the US-Russia relationship will take in the coming months.
