From Russia with Love: Putin’s Greetings for New Friend Mr. Trump

In a sarcastic tenor President of Russia Vladimir Putin said his greetings are in response to the new U.S. sanctions against Russia.

By Rakesh Raman

After expressing his strong emotions Friday in response to the punitive actions taken by the U.S. against Russia, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin has extended his greetings to Americans particulary his new friend Donald Trump.

Putin congratulated the U.S. President-elect Trump for Christmas and the New Year. In his message of greetings, Putin expressed hope that after Trump is sworn in as U.S. President on January 20, the two states will be able to take their interaction in the international arena to a whole new level.

“Major global and regional challenges that our countries have confronted in recent years clearly confirm that Russia-U.S. relations are an important factor in ensuring stability and security in the modern world,” Putin said in his message to Trump.

Earlier, on Friday, Putin had said that the recent unfriendly steps taken by the outgoing U.S. administration are provocative and aimed at further weakening the Russia-U.S. relationship. He added that it is regrettable that the Obama Administration is ending its term in this manner.

[ Election Hacking: President Obama Orders Actions Against Russia ]

Putin was responding to a number of actions that the U.S. President Barack Obama had announced Thursday in response to the alleged interference of Russia in the U.S. presidential election that took place on November 8.

Although Russia had rejected the U.S. allegations, the Obama Administration believes that significant information was hacked by Russia in order to influence the outcome of the election.

Putin said Russia has the right to retaliate, but he will plan further steps to restore Russian-U.S. relations based on the policies of the Trump Administration.

[ Election Hacking: Putin Responds to U.S. Actions Against Russia ]

Trump wasted no time to reciprocate with a sweet tweet in which he said his friend Putin is very smart, as he has deferred his decision about Russian retaliation against America.

Great move on delay (by V. Putin) – I always knew he was very smart!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

Also, in a sarcastic tenor, Putin extended his greetings to President Obama and his family. He said his greetings are in response to the new U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Vladimir #Putin: I offer New Year greetings to President Obama & his family, also to President-elect @realDonaldTrump & the American people! pic.twitter.com/Jmj8u5LvrQ

— РоссиЯ 🇷🇺 (@Russia) December 30, 2016

“I offer my New Year greetings to President Obama and his family. My season’s greetings also to President-elect Donald Trump and the American people. I wish all of you happiness and prosperity,” Putin had said Friday.

By Rakesh Raman, who is a government award-winning journalist and runs free school for deserving children under his NGO – RMN Foundation.

Photo courtesy: Vladimir Putin / Kremlin