EPAVladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory, calling him a “brave man”.
Speaking at an event in the Russian city of Sochi, the Russian President said that Mr. Trump was “hunted from all sides” during his first term in the White House.
Putin also said that Trump’s claim that he could help end the war in Ukraine “at least deserves attention.”
During his campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly said he could end the war “in a day” but never specified how that might happen.
During Putin’s speech, which lasted several hours and covered many topics, he also spoke about the assassination of Donald Trump in July, saying it “made an impression” on him.
After being shot, Trump punched his fist in the air and chanted the slogan “fight, fight, fight”, before being dragged away by secret agents.
“In my opinion, he behaved very properly, courageously and like a man,” Mr. Putin said.
When asked if he was ready to discuss with Donald Trump, Mr. Putin replied: “We are ready, we are ready.”
Trump said Thursday that he was willing to talk to Putin, telling NBC News: “I think we will talk.”
The Kremlin is widely accused of meddling in the 2016 presidential election to boost Donald Trump’s campaign against Hilary Clinton, an accusation denied by Moscow.
US Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016, but in a report three years later said no evidence of a conspiracy was found.
Getty ImagesElsewhere on Thursday, leaders gathered at the European Political Community in Budapest discussed Trump’s return to the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “very warm” and “productive” conversation with the president-elect.
“However, we must do everything to ensure that the outcome of our interaction between Ukraine and the United States, Europe and America as a whole is effective and positive,” he added.
Many in Ukraine and Europe worry that Trump could slow, if not stop, the flow of US military aid to Kiev after taking power in January.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reassured Zelensky at the summit that Britain’s support for Ukraine in its war with Russia remains “steadfast”.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – who previously said he celebrated Trump’s victory by “joyfully tapping vodka supplies” – said the US and Europe were now facing difficult negotiations over commerce.
Orban, a close ally of Trump, told a news conference that “the trade issue with the US will arise and it will not be easy”.
Before being elected, Trump said he would impose a 10% tariff on all imports.
“There was an agreement that Europe should assume greater responsibility for its own peace and security in the future. To put it more bluntly, we cannot expect the Americans to be the only ones taking care of us,” Orban said.
