Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election as a signal of Moscow’s readiness for diplomatic dialogue with the incoming administration. In his first reaction to Trump’s victory, Putin recalled that Trump during his election campaign expressed the intention to try to settle the crisis in Ukraine and to mend ties with Russia, adding that such an approach should be useful for both countries. He seemed to suggest that Trump’s proclaimed readiness to lessen the tensions over Ukraine was a good omen, considering how the conflict had taken a heavy toll on the US-Russia relations.
During his campaign trail, Trump launched withering criticism at how the crisis in Ukraine was being handled, even boasting that he “would go in and just solve it within hours.” He has complained that the U.S. gives too much aid to Ukraine, which contradicts existing American policy. Recently, he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy-a complicated approach toward the crisis.
Putin signaled his hope that US foreign policy would soften, especially when it came to sanctions and its meddling in Ukraine. Putin looks upon Trump’s receptiveness toward dialogue as a way of saving the bilateral bond between their countries from the threats of some grievances that have caused strained relations. Easier tensions and a possible lifting of sanctions would shore up Russia’s economy and standing in the world.
Trump lambasted U.S. support to Ukraine, calling for a quick resolution-one that meshed with the president-elect’s campaign narrative of putting U.S. interests first. But a settlement to the fighting in Ukraine remains a long shot, with deep-seated animosities and competing interests at play. With Trump’s inauguration around the corner, international eyes are watching how his policy toward Russia will rewrite the rules of its relationship and impact the Ukraine War.
The gesture underlined the interest by the President of Russia in the reset of ties with the United States, which have seriously deteriorated since the annexation of Crimea and US sanctions. For the time being, Moscow is keeping its fingers crossed that Trump’s presidency may bring better relations.
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