The Kremlin reacted cautiously to Donald Trump’s victory on Wednesday, saying the US is still an enemy state and time will tell whether Trump’s rhetoric about ending the Ukraine war translates into reality. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was not aware of any plans by Russian President Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump, adding that relations with Washington had reached historic lows.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘strength through peace’ approach to global affairs. It is this principle that can practically bring peace to Ukraine.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X, “Congratulations on the greatest comeback in history! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.” Iran’s government said the US election “has nothing to do with us in particular”, sending its currency, the rial, to an all-time low. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, said he was confident that the United States would support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people under Trump’s leadership.
The European Union’s main powers, Germany and France, said the bloc should remain united and closely coordinated in view of Trump’s return. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump, but stressed the challenges posed by his ‘America First’ protectionist trade policies and isolationist rhetoric.
China has stated that its policy towards the US is consistent and that it views and manages China-US relations according to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “The friendship between Canada and the United States is the envy of the world. I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity and security for both nations.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starr said he looked forward to working with Trump, saying, “As our closest allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that Trump’s leadership will be important to strengthen the alliance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the EU and the US “are bound by a true partnership between our peoples, uniting 800 million citizens. Let us work towards a transatlantic partnership that delivers continuously for our citizens.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said the UN stands ready to work with the Trump administration to address the dramatic challenges facing our world.