Putin Holds Back on Trump Congratulatory Call, Awaiting Actions After January

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated he was unaware of any intentions by President Vladimir Putin to congratulate Donald Trump on his election win, reminding that the United States remains an unfriendly nation toward Russia.

Peskov noted that Moscow is closely monitoring and analyzing statements from American politicians regarding Russia, he told reporters.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov shared Moscow's initial response to Donald Trump’s apparent re-election as U.S. President. Peskov indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no immediate plans to call Trump with congratulations, emphasizing caution due to the current strained relationship between the two nations.

"We are dealing with an unfriendly country, one directly and indirectly engaged in actions against our state," Peskov remarked, choosing not to mention the current U.S. President by name but noting that he has a remaining term of nearly six weeks.

Regarding Trump’s campaign pledge to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Peskov hinted that Russia is reserving judgment, preferring to see if Trump’s actions align with his words once he assumes office. "Sometimes, once in the Oval Office, statements can take on a different tone," he noted. "That’s why we’re carefully analyzing and monitoring everything, drawing conclusions from both specific words and concrete actions."

Peskov also downplayed the idea of an “overnight” end to the Ukraine conflict, highlighting instead the significant role Washington has played in shaping the situation. He stated that the U.S. could potentially shift the course of its foreign policy, impacting the trajectory of the war. "Whether this will happen and in what manner is something we will observe after January," said Peskov.

Notably, Putin was among the first leaders to congratulate Trump on his victory in 2016, setting a contrasting tone from the current reserved response.

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