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Since securing a historic victory on November 5, President Donald Trump has been busy compiling his new administration and speaking to foreign leaders around the world.
NBC News reported that the 45th and now 47th president has spoken to around 70 world leaders since he was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
The Washington Post reported that Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Thursday and warned him to resist escalating the war in Ukraine. The outlet said that its sources noted that he mentioned the presence of United States forces in Europe during the phone call.
Putin reportedly congratulated President Trump and commended him for his initial reaction after his attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
“His behavior at the moment of an attempt on his life left an impression on me. He turned out to be a brave man,” Putin reportedly said.
The Russian president continued, “He manifested himself in the very correct way, bravely as a man.”
Putin also remarked on Trump’s foreign policy plans, stating that his “desire to restore relations with Russia, to help end the Ukrainian crisis,” in his opinion, “deserves attention at least.”
The outlet complained that Trump had not conducted his calls in coordination with the State Department and interpreters from the United States government. His transition team has not signed the agreement, which the Washington Post labeled as “a standard procedure,” with the General Services Administration.
However, the outlet pointed out that President Trump and his aides are skeptical to do so because of leaked transcripts of his phone calls during his first presidency.
President Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said, “President Trump won a historic election decisively and leaders from around the world know America will return to prominence on the world stage.”
Cheung elaborated further, stating, “That is why leaders have begun the process of developing stronger relationships with the 45th and 47th President because he represents global peace and stability.”
President Trump has repeatedly said that he would end the war in Ukraine as soon as he is back in the Oval Office. After the publication of the Washington Post article, the Kremlin denied that Trump and Putin spoke on the phone.