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VLADIMIR Putin has congratulated “real man” Donald Trump after the Republican’s seismic election win.
The Russian dictator says he is now ready to speak with America’s President-elect over the future of both nations amid grave concerns over what a Trump term may mean for Ukraine.
Putin, 72, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election as president of the United States of America.”
They are his first comments on the US election since Trump was announced as the victor as she swept aside Kamala Harris at the polls.
Putin has been speaking at the Valdai discussion club in Sochi today as he also praised Trump for surviving an assassination attempt back in July.
He commended the future American leader for his bravery in light of the near-death experience.
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“He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man,” Putin added.
The Russian dictator later made an unusual remark saying he felt as if Trump was “bullied” during his first spell in the White House.