Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. election win and praised him for showing courage during an assassination attempt. Putin expressed readiness for dialogue with the President-elect and noted Trump’s remarks about Ukraine and improving relations with Russia. Putin cautioned that he did not know what would happen next but was open to discussions if the Trump administration wanted that.
Putin also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating his conditions for ending the conflict, including Ukraine dropping its NATO ambitions. He criticized Western leaders for pushing the world to a dangerous line with their actions in Ukraine. Putin emphasized that Russia was always ready to negotiate based on mutual legitimate interests.
He criticized the West for not treating Russia as an equal partner since the fall of the Soviet Union and expanding NATO eastwards towards Russia. Putin highlighted China as Russia’s ally and expressed readiness to restore relations with the United States, while implying that the ball was in Washington’s court.
Regarding Kamala Harris’ warning about Putin eating Trump for lunch, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov joked that Putin does not eat people. Putin’s comments showed a willingness for dialogue with the incoming Trump administration, while also emphasizing Russia’s terms for ending the conflict in Ukraine and restoring relations with the U.S.
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