Vladimir Putin (left) and Joe Biden.Photo: Mikhail KlimentyevTASS via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Vladimir Putinis extending his congratulations to former Vice PresidentJoe Bidenafter theElectoral College officially voted for him to bethe next president of the United States on Monday.
Astatement from the Kremlinpublished on Tuesday noted that the Russian president, 68, “wished the president-elect every success” going forward in his new role.
According to the release, Putin also “expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which bear special responsibility for global security and stability, can, despite their differences, effectively contribute to solving many problems and meeting challenges that the world is facing today.”
“The President of Russia noted that with this in mind,Russian-American cooperation, based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, would meet the interests of both nations and the entire international community,” the statement went on.
Giving a direct quote from Putin addressing Biden, 78, the release concluded, “For my part, I am ready for interaction and contacts with you.”
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Vladimir Putin.Mikhail MetzelTASS via Getty
Joe Biden.Mark Makela/Getty
A majority of the electors who represent every state as well as Washington, D.C., voted for Biden andKamala Harrisas the next president and vice president, according to theAssociated PressandTheNew York Times.
The usually little-watched procedure took place throughout the day Monday across the country, as the 538 presidential electors cast ballots according to their state’s popular-vote winner. Hawaii was the final state to vote in the Electoral College, Monday night, while California’s electors put Biden over the 270-vote threshold.
He offered no proof, and both the courts and investigators resoundingly rejected his complaints and those of his allies. Local election officials from both parties said they found no evidence of widespread fraud.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.Matt Baron/Shutterstock
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Putin, Russia’s autocratic leader, has been a familiar foreign ally to Trump throughout his presidency, evendefending Trump last December against being impeachedfor what he called “far-fetched” reasons.
The Kremlin previously announced on Nov. 9 that Putin would hold off on extending his congratulations to Biden until the 2020 result was official, theAssociated Pressreported at the time.
source: people.com
