Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory, calling him a "courageous man".
Speaking at an event in the Russian city of Sochi, the Russian president said that Trump was "hounded from all sides" during his first term in the White House.
Putin also said that Trump's claim that he can help end the war in Ukraine "deserves attention at least".
During his campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly said he could end the war “in a day” but has never elaborated on how that could happen.
During Putin's address, which lasted several hours and covered a wide range of topics, he also spoke of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July, saying it "made an impression" on him.
After being shot, Trump punched his fist into the air and mouthed the words "fight, fight, fight", before being hauled away by Secret Service agents.
"He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a man," Putin said.
Asked if he was ready to have discussions with Donald Trump, Putin replied: "We're ready, we're ready."
Trump had already said on Thursday that he was prepared to speak with Putin, telling NBC News: "I think we'll speak".
The Kremlin was widely accused of interfering in the 2016 presidential election to boost Donald Trump's campaign against Hilary Clinton, claims rejected by Moscow.
US Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated allegations of collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia in 2016, but said in a report three years later that had found no evidence of conspiracy.
Elsewhere on Thursday, leaders gathering for the European Political Community in Budapest discussed Trump's return to the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a "very warm" and "productive conversation" with the president-elect.
"But we have to do everything to ensure that the results of our interaction between Ukraine and America, the whole of Europe and America, are productive and positive," he added.
Many in Ukraine and Europe are worried that Trump might slow, if not halt, the flow of American military aid to Kyiv upon taking power in January.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer assured Zelensky at the summit that the UK's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia remains "iron-clad".
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who previously said he celebrated Trump's win by "tapping into the vodka supply happily" - said the US and Europe now face tough talks on trade.
Orban, who is a close ally of Trump, told a press conference that "the trade issue with the US will come up and it will not be easy".
Before winning the election, Trump said he would impose tariffs of 10% on all imports.
“There was an agreement that Europe should assume greater responsibility for its own peace and security in the future. To put it even more bluntly, we cannot expect Americans to be the only ones to take care of us," Orban said.
Latest Stories
-
UniMAC to host public forum on democracy and communication
12 mins -
Expired Rice Scandal: Ablakwa slams Lamens Company for “Criminal” acts
24 mins -
Avoid the use of vituperative expressions in your campaigns – NCCE
32 mins -
No petroleum revenue allotment to industrialisation in first half of 2024 – PIAC report
38 mins -
Baba Sadiq motivated me to vie for MP position – Okraku-Mantey
58 mins -
“Black Stars failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 a big blow” – Ibrahim Tanko
1 hour -
NPP’s campaign is going very well – Nana Akomea
1 hour -
Employees must file annual income tax returns – Ghana Revenue Authority
2 hours -
Does the Police law empower police to run a broadcasting service?
3 hours -
GFA dissolves Black Stars Management Committee after AFCON qualification disappointment
3 hours -
The Thomas Partey Tournament: Empowering Ghana’s Youth through football
3 hours -
Nana Akomea calls for public inquiry into ‘expired rice’ saga
4 hours -
Maintain Otto Addo despite AFCON 2025 no-show – Nana Akomea advises GFA
4 hours -
GFA issues apology to Ghanaians for Black Stars failure to qualify for AFCON 2025
4 hours -
Nautyca releases new single ‘Nalani’
4 hours