Putin Finally Congratulates Biden After Electoral College Vote

A day after the US Treasury Department hack that was blamed on Russia, President Vladimir Putin congratulated president-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday on his victory in the US presidential election, six weeks after the election and one day after the Electoral College officially declared Biden’s win. 

Putin has long-delayed acknowledging a Biden win, while President Trump refused to accept the election results. 

On Tuesday, The Moscow Kremlin sent a “congratulatory telegram” to Biden for his “victory in the United States presidential election.”

“Vladimir Putin wished the President-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which bear special responsibility for global security and stability, despite their differences can truly contribute to solving many problems and challenges that the world is currently facing,” the Kremlin’s statement read. 

Putin noted that “Russian-American cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual respect would meet the interests of people in both countries as well as the entire international community.”

“For my part, I am ready for cooperation and contacts with you,” Putin said. 

Most world leaders had issued formal messages in the days following the AP calling the presidential race. China and Russia had initially held off from the diplomatic welcome to Biden, but on Nov. 25, a “belated” congratulations was officially made by Chinese President Xi Jinping.  

The fact that Putin chose to wait so long is perhaps a sign of respect for Trump, or perhaps a recognition of America’s constitutional process.