Vladimir Putin Finally Acknowledges Joe Biden’s Election Victory

"Vladimir Putin" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Global Panorama

After weeks of holding out his message, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory. 

According to a Kremlin statement on Tuesday, Putin’s message to Joe Biden was, “For my part, I am ready for interaction and contact with you.” The Russian President also wished Joe Biden “every success.”

The Kremlin added that Putin wished Joe Biden every success. They even expressed confidence that Russia and the United States could, despite their difference, “really help solve the many problems and challenges facing the world.” Kremlin also acknowledged that both countries have a special responsibility for global security and stability. 

Said message from Putin came a day after the Electoral College affirmed Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 Presidential election.

Previously, the Russian President stated that he would not recognize Joe Biden as the United States President until the results were confirmed, “in a legitimate, legal way.” He also said on Russian TV, “We will work with anyone who has the confidence of the American people.”

Putin then continued by saying, “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.”

Previously, Putin stated that the delay in his congratulatory message has no ulterior motives. The Russian President also believed that although the U.S. and Russia relations have been “ruined,” he will work with whoever will be the next U.S. President. 

Compared to the previous election, Putin was prompt in sending a congratulatory message to President Trump when he won the presidency. However, days after the election was called in Joe Biden’s favor, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told interviewers that this election is “different.” Peskov added that it is best to wait for the “official announcement.”

Putin’s spokesman said, “Obviously, you can see that certain legal procedures are coming there, which were announced by the incumbent president — therefore, this situation is different, so we consider it correct to wait for the official announcement.”

At that time, Peskov also suggested that Putin’s congratulatory message will be announced when the time comes, and the message will follow the protocol. He added, “I remind you that Vladimir Putin said more than once that he will respect any choice of American people, and will be ready to work with any chosen president of the United States.”

In 2016, Russian politicians widely favored Trump’s win. The Russians expected Trump to improve the ties between the U.S. and Russia and allow weapon sales to Ukraine. 

On the other hand, Russia is suspicious of a Democratic U.S. President. They alleged that Democrats tend to be bolder when criticizing Russia, particularly with human rights and their democracy issues.

This suspicion was epitomized last 2011 when Joe Biden made a speech at Moscow State University when he was still sitting as the Vice President. Moscow State University is the country’s most prestigious higher education institution, and in the speech, Biden advised the students, “Don’t compromise on the basic elements of democracy. You need not make that Faustian bargain.”

In addition to this, Joe Biden highlighted his bad mark with Russia when he stood as the point-man in Ukraine, by the Obama Administration, after the revolution that pushed the country’s Kremlin-friendly President from power. Said protest, was according to Russia, was instigated by the United States.

Last Monday, electors from the 50 states and the District of Columbia gathered to tally the ballots. As a result, it gave Biden 306 electoral votes, and 232 for President Trump. In order to win the presidency, a candidate must amass 270 electoral votes. 

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