Putin Congratulates Trump on Stunning Victory Via an Old-School Telegram
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In a shocking and historic upset, Donald J. Trump has won the 2016 presidential election. He will succeed Barack Obama to become our nation’s 45th leader.
As many within the American electorate and political establishment struggle to come to terms with his victory and its far-reaching implications, world leaders have reached out to the president-elect to offer their customary kudos and re-affirm their commitment to positive relations with the US. Some apparently had an easier go of it than others– namely, Vladimir Putin, president of Russia and Trump’s avowed role model.
The Russian strongman was reportedly among the first to embrace Trump’s ascendance to the presidency, choosing to do so via telegram. In it, Putin wished Trump success and expressed hope that their two nations could establish “constructive dialogue based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and genuine consideration for each other’s positions”.
While Trump has been vocal about his fondness for Putin’s leadership style throughout the grueling campaign season, Putin has also been open about his disdain for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, whom he blames for fomenting mass protests against him in 2012, according to the New York Times.
The Obama administration has even accused Russia of interfering in the electoral process by hacking the Democratic Party headquarters and leaking its emails in an attempt to damage Clinton’s reputation. As the election results came in yesterday, former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul tweeted: “Putin intervened in our elections and succeeded. Well done!”
In any case, Putin has ample reason to celebrate having an admirer in the Oval Office. Trump not only has relatively little foreign policy experience, he has also expressed support for Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. This all bodes well for an increasingly expansive and aggressive Russia.
As for Putin’s decision to use an old-school form of communication? Maybe it signals his hope for a return to 20th century-style geopolitics.
