Following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, Russia announced on Wednesday that it plans to engage with the incoming administration while “firmly upholding its national interests” and pursuing its objectives in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement that criticized the outgoing Biden administration, asserting that the U.S. “ruling political elite adheres to anti-Russia principles” and supports a policy aimed at “containing Moscow.”
“The victory of Donald Trump in the presidential election and his return to the White House after a four-year break obviously reflect Americans’ disappointment in the performance of the Biden administration and the election programme of the Democratic Party formulated by Vice-President Kamala Harris, who was hastily chosen to replace the incumbent President in the race,” the statement said.
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The Foreign Ministry praised aspects of Trump’s campaign, noting that the Republican candidate focused on issues resonating with voters “as a counterbalance to the White House’s globalist course.”
“Despite an overpowering propaganda campaign, which Democrats launched against Donald Trump based on the administrative resource and support from the liberal media, the Republican candidate, who relied on the experience of his previous presidency, highlighted issues that are of real interest to the electorate, namely, the economy and illegal migration, as a counterbalance to the White House’s globalist course,” the statement continued.
It further criticized the American political system, stating, “In these circumstances, the ruling group was unable to use the chronically ill American ‘democracy,’ a system, which is outdated, archaic and incompatible with the modern standards of direct, fair and transparent elections, to prevent Kamala Harris’s defeat.”
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Russia also highlighted the divisiveness within the U.S., referencing a divide between Democratic and Republican states.
“At the same time, there is an obvious civil discord in the United States, whose electorate has split into almost equal halves. In fact, we are witnessing confrontation between Democratic and Republican states, and between the advocates of ‘progressive’ and traditional values. It is possible that Donald Trump’s return will fuel internal tensions and bitterness between the confronting camps,” the statement observed.
The statement further indicated that Moscow harbors no expectations for major shifts in U.S. foreign policy, given Trump’s familiarity to Russian officials.
“The US ruling political elite adheres to anti-Russia principles and the policy of ‘containing Moscow.’ This line does not depend on changes in America’s domestic political barometer, no matter if it is Trump and his supporters’ ‘America above all’ or the Democrats’ focus on a ‘rules-based world order.’ Russia will interact with the new administration when it comes to the White House, firmly upholding Russia’s national interests and working to achieve all the goals of the special military operation,” the statement concluded, adding, “Our conditions have not changed, and Washington is well aware of them.”
In a media briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova echoed this view, noting, “It makes no difference for Russia what the election outcome will be, given the two-party consensus that emerged in the United States regarding the confrontation toward our country.”
Trump’s win marks a historical moment, making him the second U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland, who held office in 1884 and 1892. According to projections by Fox News, Trump has secured 277 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 required to win the presidency.
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