Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday extended congratulations to Donald Trump following his victory in the U.S. presidential election, signaling an openness to discussions with the newly-elected president. Speaking at the Valdai forum in Sochi, Putin described Trump as “courageous” and confirmed he was “ready” to hold talks.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate him,” Putin said, adding, “Ready,” when asked if he was open to discussions with Trump.

While Putin had previously expressed a preference for Joe Biden or Kamala Harris as a potential U.S. leader, Moscow has often been seen as favoring Trump for his anti-establishment stance, which has introduced disruption to American and global politics. In 2016, Moscow was accused of interfering in the U.S. election to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton, allegations the Kremlin has consistently denied.

Putin also praised Trump’s resilience, referencing an attempted assassination at a rally earlier this year. “He turned out to be a courageous person,” Putin remarked, commending Trump for his response during the crisis. “People show who they are in extraordinary circumstances. And he showed himself, in my opinion, in a very correct manner, courageously. Like a man,” Putin said.

The Kremlin’s comments reflect Russia’s interest in diplomatic engagement with the incoming administration, as the world awaits how a Trump presidency might affect U.S.-Russia relations and broader international dynamics.