MOSCOW – On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin expressed his congratulations to Donald Trump following Trump’s election victory, marking the Russian leader’s first public remark regarding the results of the U.S. elections.

Putin’s acknowledgment was made during a question-and-answer segment at an international forum held in Sochi, a resort located by the Black Sea.

“I want to take this chance to congratulate him on being elected as the president of the United States,” Putin stated, reflecting a moment of diplomatic engagement in the wake of the election results.