Putin congratulates Trump on election win, eyeing improved US-Russia ties

Russian president also said he was sure a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington would serve the interests of both countries.

Trump and Putin (photo credit: REUTERS)
Trump and Putin
(photo credit: REUTERS)
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated businessman Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election in a telegram on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.
"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," the Kremlin said in a statement.
Putin also said he was sure a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington would serve the interests of both countries, the Kremlin said.
Meanwhille, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament said on Wednesday Moscow hoped for more constructive dialogue with the United States now that a new president had been elected, the TASS news agency reported.
Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said parliament would welcome any steps in these directions.