Moscow, 8 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday publicly congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him," Putin said in the southern city of Sochi on the Black Sea in response to a question about his view of the US election.

Putin said he would not be calling Trump himself because many Western leaders prefer to avoid contact with Russia these days. However, he is prepared to resume contact in principle.

In response to Trump's statements during the election campaign that he wanted to restore relations with Russia and contribute to ending the Ukraine conflict, Putin said: "That deserves attention."

Putin recalled that he had also had good personal contact with US presidents - in particular with the Bush family, with whom he had also stayed overnight.

He said he admired Trump's courage during the election campaign after the assassination attempt.

"He is a brave man," said Putin. "That impressed me."

During the election campaign, Trump claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine quickly, possibly even before his inauguration on January 20.

Critics have long accused the 78-year-old Republican of being too close to Russia and Putin in particular.

Photo: EPA