Written by 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he was “ready” to hold discussions with “courageous” Donald Trump, as he congratulated him on his victory in the U.S. presidential election.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate him,” Putin said in remarks to the Valdai forum in the southern city of Sochi.
Asked whether he was open to holding talks with Trump, the Russian leader said: “Ready.”
Ahead of the U.S. vote, Putin had publicly said he would prefer to see Joe Biden, and then Kamala Harris, in the White House, when asked which candidate might be best for Russia.
But Moscow has long been seen as welcoming Trump’s anti-establishment credentials and the chaos he has injected into American and global politics.
Moscow was widely accused of interfering in the 2016 presidential election to boost Trump’s campaign against Hillary Clinton. The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected those charges.
The Kremlin leader on Thursday also said he was impressed by how Trump handled himself during an assassination attempt at a rally earlier this year.
“He turned out to be a courageous person,” Putin said.
“People show who they are in extraordinary circumstances. This is where a person reveals himself. And he showed himself, in my opinion, in a very correct manner, courageously. Like a man,” Putin said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.