Russian President Vladimir Putin and world leaders react to Donald Trump US election win

AS THE rest of the world reacts with shock to news Donald Trump will be the next US President, one man in particular is thrilled.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory, and hopes the two countries can “restore” their relationship from the lowest point since the Cold War.

The Kremlin issued a statement saying they hope to work more closely with the US to address major challenges.

“Putin expressed hope for joint work to restore Russian-American relations from their state of crisis, and also to address pressing international issues and search for effective responses to challenges concerning global security,” it said.

Mr Putin said he thought a more constructive dialogue between the former rivals would serve both countries better.

It comes as far-right parties from France, Germany and Holland send their congratulations to the new US President who secured office after a whirlwind of anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Earlier the leader of Russia’s nationalist Liberal Democratic party, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, welcomed Trump’s win.

“We of course regard with satisfaction that the better candidate of the two presented to the American voters was victorious,” he said according to news agency Interfax. He also hopes US Ambassador John Tefft leaves because he “hates Russia.”

US President-elect Donald Trump is favoured by Putin. The Clinton camp accused Russia of hacking into her emails to sabotage her campaign. Picture: SAUL LOEB

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said on Wednesday he Trump’s presidential victory would reduce geopolitical confrontations.

“A less confrontational US foreign policy will unlock major opportunities for joint (Russia-US) trade and investment,” Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said in a statement.

Dmitriev said he believed financial markets would recover quickly “just as they did after the Brexit vote.”

US election Russian dolls on sale in Moscow. Alleged Russian hacks of the Democratic party have plagued the Clinton campaign. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV

FAR-RIGHT WEIGHS IN

Far-right politicians from across Europe have sent their congratulations to Trump.

Dutch anti-Islam and EU politician Geer Wilders sent his congratulations, calling it a “historic victory”.

“We also will give our country back to the people of the Netherlands,” he said.

The sentiment was shared by Nigel Farage, acting leader of the right-wing UK Independence Party and French far-right National Front party leader Marine Le Pen.

“You have fought a brave campaign,” said Farage who has been a regular on the Trump circus.

“Congratulations to the new president of the United States Donald Trump and to the American people, free!” Le Pen tweeted.

“Their world is crumbling. Ours is being created,” Le Pen’s chief strategist Florian Philippot tweeted.

In Germany, a leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party said that Trump’s victory was “a signal that citizens of the Western world want a political change of course.”

“Not only in the US, but also in Germany citizens want secure borders, less globalisation and commonsense policies that are more focused on their own country,” Beatrix von Storch wrote on Facebook.

Donald Trump has questioned whether the US would come to the aid of NATO allies that would not pay their way. Picture: AFP/Timothy A. CLARY

NATO CALLS ON US LEADERSHIP

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has congratulated Donald Trump on his win and reminded him of the importance of US leadership.

“We face a challenging new security environment, including hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, the threat of terrorism. US leadership is as important as ever,” he said.

“I look forward to working with President-elect Trump.”

It comes after Trump sparked fear among NATO leaders when he suggested the US would think twice about helping an ally that had not paid it’s dues in the alliance.

“All allies have made a solemn commitment to defend each other, this is absolute and unconditioned,” he said, reminding reporters the only time defence commitments were invoked was in response to 9/11.

“These security guarantees are important for Europe but they are also important for the United States.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Trump on winning a “hard-fought campaign.”

“Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”

“We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence.

I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.”

French and German leaders also offered congratulations but reminded Trump of the values they held higher than anything else.

French President Francois Hollande said the decision “opens a period of uncertainty” for the world with the “future of the planet”, global security and peace at stake.

He said he would engage in talks “without delay. “But I will do with watchfulness and frankness because certain values must be confronted.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “Germany and America are connected by values: democracy, freedom, respect for the law and for the dignity of human beings, independently of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views.”

“On the basis of these values, I am offering the future president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, close co-operation.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada has “no closer friend in the world” than the US.

“We look forward to working very closely with President-elect Trump, his administration, and with the United States Congress in the years ahead, including on issues such as trade, investment, and international peace and security.”