Vladimir Putin has publicly congratulated Donald Trump on his recent election victory, describing him as a ‘courageous man’ who faced significant challenges during his first term. Speaking in Sochi, Putin acknowledged Trump’s claims about potentially ending the war in Ukraine and commented on the assassination attempt against him in July, commending Trump’s response as brave. Both leaders expressed willingness to engage in talks, despite past controversies surrounding alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and subsequent investigations, which found no evidence of conspiracy. This collaboration could shape future diplomatic relations.