Vladimir Putin was one of the last world leaders who sent a congratulation letter to Joe Biden. The Russian President wished success to the incoming US counterpart.
Weeks after many other world leaders have congratulated Joe Biden as the US President-elect, Vladimir Putin did so, too. Welcoming the American counterpart, the Russian leader called for “collaboration” between superpowers to solve global security challenges.
Following the confirmation of Biden’s win by the electoral college votes on Monday, Vladimir Putin congratulated Joe Biden and stressed that two nations “bear special responsibility for global security and stability.”.
In his congratulation letter, Mr Putin wished the US president-elect every success and said he is ready “for collaboration and contacts with you”.
The Russian President’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told media that the Kremlin will refrain from commenting on Biden’s victory until legal challenges to the election are resolved and the result is official.
“Certain legal procedures are coming there, which were announced by the incumbent president, therefore this situation is different, so we consider it correct to wait for the official announcement,” Peskov said.
Biden will have to deal with is a renewal of the “New Start” deal on nuclear weapons
Prior to taking office by Joe Biden, the US has been highly critical of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline which would directly supply Germany with Russian gas.
In addition, Joe Biden could take a harder line against the Russian government than Trump, even including sanctions. Among the vulnerable aspects that Biden will have to deal with is a renewal of the “New Start” deal on nuclear weapons which is ending in February.
Congratulating Joe Biden, Putin said that Moscow and Washington should set apart their differences and “really contribute to solving many problems and challenges that the world is currently facing.”
For his part, outgoing President Trump has not formally conceded defeat even as his legal challenges continue to fall flat.
