Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his congratulations to Donald Trump on his recent election victory but acknowledged uncertainty about what a second Trump term could entail. At a recent event in Sochi, Putin remarked on Trump’s resilience, referencing Trump’s reaction during a July 13 rally incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where gunfire erupted. “His behavior at that moment left an impression on me. He turned out to be a brave man,” Putin said, recalling that Trump was struck in the ear, while one spectator was killed and others were injured.
Reflecting on Trump’s potential policy directions, Putin admitted, “I don’t know what will happen now. I have no idea.” However, he noted Trump’s statements about ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict “within 24 hours” as worthy of consideration. Putin added that Trump’s intent “to restore relations with Russia” and his expressed interest in ending the Ukraine crisis “deserves attention.”
According to a Kremlin spokesperson, a conversation between Trump and Putin might occur before Trump’s inauguration in January. Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently, who described their exchange as “productive,” expressing hope for U.S. support despite uncertainties.
Adding to the intrigue, a recent book alleges that Trump maintained communication with Putin even after leaving office, with at least seven calls between them since 2021. Trump’s spokesperson, however, has refuted these claims, calling the allegations fictional and politically motivated. The book also claims that Trump sent COVID-19 testing equipment to Putin at the height of the pandemic—a gesture the Kremlin confirmed.