Russian-American relations: Vladimir Putin timidly extends his hand to Joe Biden

Russian President Vladimir Putin at his annual press conference, broadcast here.

NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA AFP

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The Russian president had waited for the vote of the US electoral college to congratulate US President Joe Biden on his election on Tuesday.

Vladimir Poutine took advantage of his annual press conference, this Thursday, December 17, to once again reach out to the American president-elect, with moderation.

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From our correspondent in Moscow

, 

Paul Gogo

Asked at length about national problems and the economic crisis aggravated by the coronavirus during his annual press conference, President Putin did not speak much about international relations.

But Vladimir Poutine still wanted to say a word about the election of Joe Biden in the United States.

► To read also: Trump and Putin for a "normalization" of Russian-American relations

The Kremlin has never hidden its preference for candidate Donald Trump.

To the point that Vladimir Putin, unlike his counterparts, waited for the vote of the American electoral college to congratulate President Biden on his election.

He said on Tuesday that he was ready for contact with the president-elect, hoping to be able to contribute with his counterpart to solving the challenges facing the world.

Few expectations on the Russian side

For several weeks, the media close to power had accredited the thesis advanced by Donald Trump of irregularities during the American election.

This Thursday, December 17, Vladimir Putin said he hoped that part of the problems between the two countries could be resolved with this new administration.

Statements which show that expectations are not very high on the Russian side.

But they represent a first hand reaching out to launch a new relationship with the Biden administration.

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  • Russia

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