Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the elections, labeling him a “brave individual” who faced adversity from multiple fronts, and stated his readiness to discuss Ukraine with the newly elected president.

These remarks were Putin’s first public comments regarding Trump since the latter’s triumph in the presidential elections held on Tuesday. Putin spoke at length during an event in Sochi on Thursday.

Trump has often claimed that he could resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s unexpected invasion in February 2022, “in a day,” though he has yet to clarify how he would accomplish that. Speculation has emerged about whether Trump might use Putin’s well-known admiration for him to broker some kind of peace agreement.

Ukrainian officials express concern that Trump’s election could either delay or completely stop military aid from the United States once he assumes office in January. They also warn that Putin’s promises should not be taken at face value.

“We must do everything possible to make sure our collaboration with the U.S. and all of Europe yields productive outcomes,” stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.

Putin declared that he is open to conversations with Trump regarding Ukraine. He mentioned that a recent assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, had a significant impact on him.

“Extraordinary circumstances reveal a person’s true character. In my view, Trump demonstrated courage and integrity,” Putin remarked.

Putin also asserted that during Trump’s initial term, he faced relentless pressure from various fronts. This assertion might resonate with Trump, who has frequently claimed, often without providing evidence, that he is a target of “detractors” concerning issues like election interference and his legal challenges.

Trump has consistently praised Putin, and a recent publication by journalist Bob Woodward suggested that Trump may have engaged in several private phone discussions with Putin since leaving office. Putin is known for his use of misinformation, propaganda, and flattery, and often takes actions contrary to his statements. During the campaign, Putin reportedly indicated a preference for Vice President Kamala Harris to win the presidency.

Emily Harding, a national security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former leader of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections, cautioned that “any global leader should be wary of trusting Vladimir Putin.”

In a Thursday interview with NBC, Trump indicated that he had not yet spoken with Putin, among the many world leaders he has contacted, but anticipated a conversation soon. “I believe we’ll have a discussion,” Trump stated.