Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov yesterday told a reporter that President Donald Trump’s instructions to the General Services Administration (GSA), to “do what needs to be done” in terms of transition protocols, were not sufficient for Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize Joe Biden as the next U.S. President. “Complaints are still being considered and recounts are underway in some states, which are necessary to deliver official election results,” Peskov explained. “The Kremlin will offer congratulations once all these procedures are over. As it was said from the beginning, nothing has changed here.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered his congratulations to Biden, couched in very general terms. He said he hopes ”that the two sides will uphold the spirit of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, focus on cooperation, manage differences, advance the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. ties, and join hands with other countries and the international community to promote the noble cause of world peace and development.” On the same day, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan sent a message to Sen. Kamala Harris to congratulate her on election as U.S. vice president.
