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Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Joe Biden a congratulatory telegram after the Electoral College formalized his victory in the November 3 election, making him one of the last world leaders to recognize America’s president-elect.
Putin wished Biden good luck and said Russia and the United States can help solve global problems, according to a Kremlin statement on Tuesday. “For my part, I am ready for cooperation and contacts with you,” Putin said in the statement.
The Russian president had previously said he would not recognize the election results until they were accepted by Biden’s opponent or confirmed in a “legitimate” way.
The Democratic candidate’s electoral college victory over President Donald Trump, who refused to concede defeat, was finalized after voters in each state voted on Monday. Trump and his allies are still protesting the outcome, but with more than 50 post-election lawsuits dismissed, including by the U.S. Supreme Court, they have no viable way to overturn it.
Polish President Andrzej Duda, who considers himself a political ally of Trump, also congratulated Biden after the electoral college vote. In a letter, he said that Poland and the United States were “strategic partners” united by the values of “freedom, justice, democracy and the rule of international law”.
Russia, which was accused by U.S. intelligence agencies of intervening in 2016 to help elect Trump, is wary of Biden, who will likely seek to underscore his support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the traditional allies of the United States. Russia is also concerned aboutthe risknew sanctions by the new administration.
Putin’s telegram came a day after hackers linked to Russian authorities were suspected ofparticipationin one of the most daringattackson US government agencies in recent memory, as part of a global campaign involving malware inserted into updates by a software maker. Russia has denied any involvement.
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