Kremlin denies reports of Putin congratulating Trump on US election victory

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has denied reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.

In an interview with Russian media, Peskov described the claim as "inaccurate," Caliber.Az reports.

On November 6, the Russian news outlet Verstka cited sources in the Russian parliament and close to the Kremlin, suggesting that Putin and Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev had sent informal congratulations to Trump through intermediaries.

The report claimed that the Russian Foreign Ministry had facilitated these messages, which were also allegedly sent by several high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Sberbank CEO German Gref, Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko, and State Duma chairman Vyacheslav Volodin.

One source suggested that the Kremlin might be seeking to maintain positive relations with Trump, noting Moscow's "certain hopes" for him, particularly regarding the issue of reducing aid to Ukraine. "Trump is, of course, much more treaty-capable and better for us than [Kamala] Harris," the source said.

Earlier, Peskov had commented on the reports of Trump's victory, stating he was unaware of any plans by Putin to congratulate the American politician. When asked whether the absence of a congratulatory message could further strain US-Russia relations, Peskov dismissed the notion, saying such a development would be "impossible" and that "everything will depend on the next US leadership."

Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the US on November 6, marking an extraordinary comeback for a former president who had refused to accept his defeat four years earlier, incited a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, was convicted on felony charges, and survived two assassination attempts.

With a victory in Wisconsin, Trump secured the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency.

By Vafa Guliyeva