Russian President Vladimir Putin has finally joined the long list of world leaders to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden on his victory. – By Gerald Gekara and Agencies.
“For my part, I am ready for interaction and contact with you,” the Kremlin cited Putin as saying in a statement.
“Putin wished the president-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which have a special responsibility for global security and stability, could, despite their differences, really help to solve the many problems and challenges facing the world,” the Kremlin said.
The Kremlin had said it would wait for official results from November’s vote before recognising the victory.
Mr Biden was confirmed as the winner on Monday by the electoral college.
Most world leaders congratulated Mr Biden within days of the 3 November poll, when it was clear he had defeated sitting President Donald Trump.
Mr Biden and Mr Putin had frosty relations when the former served as vice-president under Barack Obama.
Democrat Joe Biden won November’s contest with 306 electoral college votes to Republican Donald Trump’s 232.
Confirmation by the electoral college, which took place on Monday, was one of the steps required for Mr Biden to take office.
