Putin's comments on Trump and possible talks

8/11/2024 6:16

        President Vladimir
        Putin on Thursday congratulated Donald Trump on winning the U.S.
        presidential election, praised him for showing bravery when a
        gunman tried to assassinate him, and said Moscow was ready to
        talk to the Republican president-elect.
        
        Following are Putin's remarks. He spoke in Russian. The
        translation into English is by Reuters.
        
        
        
        "Firstly, his behavior at the time of the attempt on his
        life made an impression on me. He turned out to be a courageous
        man. And it's not just about the raised hand and the call to
        fight for his and their common ideals... He behaved, in my
        opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a man...
        
        "I am speaking sincerely, absolutely. I have the impression
        that (in his first term) he was hounded from all sides. They
        wouldn't let him move. He was afraid to take a step to the left,
        to the right, to say an extra word. I do not know what is going
        to happen now. I have no clue. For him, this is his last term.
        What he will do, these are questions for him...
        
        "What was said (by Trump) about the desire to restore
        relations with Russia, to help end the Ukrainian crisis - in my
        opinion, this deserves attention at least.
        
        "And I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his
        election as president of the United States of America. I have
        already said that we will work with any head of state who is
        trusted by the American people. This will indeed be the case in
        practice."
        
        
        
        Asked what he would do if Trump called and suggested a
        meeting, Putin said:
        
        "I don't think it's shameful to call him either. I just
        don't do it, because the leaders of Western states called me
        almost every week from some stage, and then suddenly stopped.
        
        "Well, if they don't want to, they don't have to. As you can
        see, we are alive, healthy, it's fine, we are developing, moving
        forward. If any of them want to resume contacts, I have always
        said and I want to say again: we have nothing against it.
        Please, let's resume contacts and have discussions.
        
        
        
        Asked if that meant he was ready to have discussions with
        Trump, Putin replied:
        
        "We're ready, we're ready."