When Will Vladimir Putin Congratulate US President-Elect Joe Biden? Kremlin Responds

Moscow, November 26: Russian President Vladimir Putin won't congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden until final results of the presidential election are announced, the Kremlin said on Thursday. According to Sputnik News, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Putin will congratulate Joe Biden in a timely manner as soon as the official results of the US presidential election are declared. Chinese President Xi Jinping Finally Greets US President-Elect Joe Biden for Election Victory.

Asked whether Putin not congratulating Biden meant Russia rejects the US presidential election's outcome, Dmitry Peskov responded in negative. He underlined that Biden has not been declared winner officially. Putin is one of a handful of world leaders who have not congratulated Biden on his victory. Last week also, the Russian president had refused to do so, adding that he was ready to work with any US leader.

"We will work with anyone who has the confidence of the American people," Putin had said on Russian state TV, as reported by Bloomberg. "But that confidence can only be given to a candidate whose victory has been recognized by the opposing party, or after the results are confirmed in a legitimate, legal way." Notably, US intelligence agencies have accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 US election for getting Donald Trump elected.

When Trump won in 2016, Putin was prompt in offering congratulations — but Trump's challenger in that election, Hillary Clinton, also conceded the day after the vote. Though Trump has assured support for the transfer of the presidency to Biden, he is yet to concede defeat. Alleging fraud in the election, Trump has repeatedly vowed to "fight".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2020 04:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).