Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be one of the many world leaders congratulating US President-elect Donald Trump on his second presidential term, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said.

Speaking to reporters on November 6, Peskov also cautioned Russians against any premature celebrations, specifically concerning Trump’s potential impact on Russian interests and possible shifts in US military support for Ukraine.

“I’m not aware of any plans by the president to congratulate Trump,” Peskov said. “Let’s not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country, directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state.”

While Trump’s campaign rhetoric often suggested “peaceful aspirations” and a reduced American presence in foreign conflicts, including support for Ukraine, Peskov noted that it is uncertain whether these promises will be realised once Trump takes office. Putin remains “open” to future discussions with Trump, he added.

“We have repeatedly said that the US is capable of contributing to the end of this conflict,” Peskov continued. “Of course, it cannot be done overnight, but since it is the US that is fuelling and constantly throwing kerosene into this conflict and is taking part in it, then yes, the US could alter the course of this foreign policy. Whether this will happen, and how, we will see after January.”

During his campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed he would end wars worldwide, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, famously asserting in a May 2023 CNN townhall that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict “in 24 hours.”

Shortly after Peskov’s remarks, Vyorstka – an independent Russian news website – reported, citing anonymous Kremlin-linked sources, that some Russian elites, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and Sberbank CEO Herman Gref, had extended informal congratulations to Trump via diplomatic backchannels. One source reportedly indicated that Russian officials hold cautious optimism over Trump’s re-election, hoping his presidency could result in reduced US sanctions on Russia and lessened support for Ukraine.

“The hopes are primarily linked to a reduction in US support for Ukraine during the ‘special military operation’,” a parliamentary source told Vyorstka. “Trump, of course, is much more capable of making a deal that is better for us than [Vice President Kamala] Harris.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Trump has often voiced his willingness to engage in dialogue with Russian leaders. Coupled with the possibility of Trump reducing US contributions to NATO, some in the Kremlin view Trump’s re-election as a potential advantage for Moscow. On the campaign trail, Trump also proposed putting pressure on Ukraine to negotiate with Russia, potentially leading to the creation of a demilitarised zone along the front lines.

However, Vyorstka also reported that other Russian officials remain sceptical about Trump’s ability to significantly advance Moscow’s objectives in Ukraine. A Kremlin-linked source expressed doubt that Trump could end the conflict, halt support for Ukraine, prevent Ukrainian advances, or secure a ceasefire along the front line.

“The alternative is escalation, which is more likely to lead to global chaos than peace. This is not just the end of a war; it’s a global conflict,” an anonymous Kremlin official told Vyorstka.