Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinTrump imposes sanctions on Turkey over Russian defense purchases A divided Congress finds common ground in fighting foreign corruption US slaps sanctions on alleged human rights abusers in Russia, Yemen and Haiti MORE congratulated President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenHogan on Republicans who won’t accept election result: ‘They are out of runway’ Biden rips Trump’s refusal to concede after Electoral College vote Senate GOP warns Biden against picking Sally Yates as attorney general MORE on his Electoral College victory on Tuesday after refusing to acknowledge his win in the weeks after the election.
“For my part, I am ready for interaction and contacts with you,” Putin said in a statement from the Kremlin.
Putin “wished the President-elect every success and 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,” according to the Kremlin.
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The Electoral College officially voted to confirm Biden as president on Monday after weeks of fruitless legal challenges from President TrumpDonald TrumpHogan on Republicans who won’t accept election result: ‘They are out of runway’ Biden rips Trump’s refusal to concede after Electoral College vote Top GOP senators acknowledge Biden as president-elect after Electoral College vote MORE‘s campaign and allies, including two state lawsuits the Supreme Court declined to hear.
After Biden’s victory was first projected in November, Putin refused to acknowledge the win, suggesting he would wait until the legal challenges had played out.
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“We are just waiting for the end of the internal political confrontation,” he said at the time.
Trump has refused to concede the election, despite the court losses and the final electoral vote on Monday. After state electors cast their votes, several Republican senators who had initially resisted acknowledging the result conceded Biden is president-elect, including Senate Majority Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneTop GOP senators acknowledge Biden as president-elect after Electoral College vote Senate GOP leaders seek to put an end to election disputes Hillicon Valley: Lawmakers call for action after ‘devastating’ cyberattack on federal government | US cyber agency issues emergency directive following hacks | FTC opens privacy study into major internet platforms MORE (R-S.D.).
“In my view that’s how in this country we decide presidential elections. That’s our Constitution, and I believe in following the Constitution,” Thune told reporters.
“We’ve now gone through the constitutional process, and the electors have voted, so there’s a president-elect,” added Sen. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntTop GOP senators acknowledge Biden as president-elect after Electoral College vote Window quickly closing for big coronavirus deal The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – COVID-19 vaccine moves ahead. Congress? Not so much MORE (R-Mo.).