Putin made his first public comments on the US voting results since Trump’s victory

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory in his first public comments on the US vote and praised the president-elect’s courage during July assassination attempt.

“His behavior at the time of the attempt on his life impressed me. He turned out to be a brave man,” Putin said at an international forum after speaking at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

“He showed himself very correctly, courageously as a man,” he added.

Putin also said that Trump’s words “about the desire to restore relations with Russia and help put an end to the Ukrainian crisis, in my opinion, deserve at least attention.”

The Kremlin previously welcomed Trump’s announcement that he could agree to end the conflict in Ukraine “within 24 hours” but stressed that it would wait for concrete political steps.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election as president of the United States of America,” Putin said during a question-and-answer session at the conference.

As for what he expects from a second Trump administration, Putin said: “I don’t know what will happen now. I have no idea.”

“This is his last presidential term for now. What he will do is his business,” added Putin, who this year fifth semester has started this would allow him to remain in power until 2030, after which he could seek office for another six years.