Speaking to a meeting of the Russian Security Council on Jan. 20, a few hours before Trump’s inauguration, President Vladimir Putin opened his remarks with comments on the new U.S. President:
“We observe that the newly elected President of the United States and his team have expressed a desire to re-establish direct contact with Russia, which the outgoing Administration had severed, through no fault of our own. Furthermore, we note his remarks on the necessity of doing everything possible to avert a third world war. Naturally, we welcome this stance and extend our congratulations to the President-elect of the United States of America on his inauguration.