Following Donald Trump’s claimed victory in the U.S. presidential election, Russia has responded with caution, reaffirming its view of the United States as a hostile state.
According to a Reuters report, the Kremlin is reserving judgment on whether Trump’s campaign promises, including ending the war in Ukraine, will lead to any significant change in U.S.-Russia relations.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated after Russia’s 2022 invasion, has created a serious geopolitical divide between Moscow and Western nations, likened to Cold War tensions.
Trump’s projected win, announced by Fox News after he defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, marks his return to office and makes him the second president to serve non-consecutive terms.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted cautiously, indicating that while Trump has made substantial commitments regarding Ukraine, Russia will await actual policy moves. “We should remember that the United States is an unfriendly nation, directly or indirectly involved in the war against our state (in Ukraine),” Peskov told reporters, highlighting Russia’s continued skepticism.
Peskov also noted that he had no information on whether President Vladimir Putin intended to congratulate Trump, reflecting the frosty state of U.S.-Russia relations. He added, “We have said repeatedly that the U.S. has the power to influence the end of this conflict. It can’t happen overnight, but a change in U.S. foreign policy could alter the course. Whether or not this will occur, we will see after January.”
The strained relationship between the two countries has been compared to Cold War-era animosity. Despite Russian officials, including Putin, publicly downplaying the importance of the U.S. election outcome, some Russian state media have leaned favorably toward Trump. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, hinted that Trump’s victory could open doors to improved ties, potentially shifting the dynamics between these nuclear powers.
