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Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated President Donald Trump on his inauguration.
Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly after President Biden took office, relations between the United States and Russia grew increasingly strained, with tensions escalating further following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Biden administration imposed a series of harsh sanctions on Russia, targeting its financial institutions, energy sector, and key individuals in response to the invasion, marking one of the most significant punitive measures against Moscow since the Cold War. Additionally, the US formally suspended participation in key arms control agreements, including the New START treaty, citing Russia’s refusal to comply with its terms and its aggressive actions in Ukraine. These measures, coupled with NATO’s expanded support for Ukraine, deepened the divide between Washington and Moscow, which Putin has characterized as a broader conflict with the “collective West.”
What’s going on now: In a statement ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump and expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the new administration. Putin highlighted Trump’s remarks about restoring direct communication with Moscow, which he claimed had been disrupted “through no fault of ours by the outgoing administration.” During a meeting with Russia’s Security Council, Putin said, “We see the statement of the newly elected US President and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia. We also hear his statement about the need to do everything to prevent a third world war. Of course, we welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected President of the US. on taking office.”
Putin also reiterated Russia’s stance on the Ukraine conflict, stating that a resolution should address “the root causes of the crisis” and not be a temporary truce that allows rearmament.”
This all comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Donald Trump are set to meet soon to discuss potential ways to end the war in Ukraine. Trump’s proposal reportedly revolves around both sides making concessions, with Russia potentially scaling back its aggression in exchange for security guarantees and Ukraine abandoning aspirations to join NATO—an idea long opposed by Moscow.
