Preobrazhensky: Putin And Trump Speak Convenient Language Of Deals And Interests
By Aleksei Alexandrov
While Donald Trump did not outline his specific policy about Russia, the Kremlin sees him as a convenient counterpart to Vladimir Putin for possible negotiations, Russian political analyst Ivan Preobrazhensky told Current Time, the Russian-language TV and digital network run by RFE/RL.
“Obviously, compared to Kamala Harris, many in the Russian high offices are rather happy about this: He suits them better as a more understandable guy. Trump himself said that Putin [and Chinese President Xi Jinping] know that he is crazy, and that is why they are afraid of him. In fact, Putin knows that he is pretty crazy -- about the same as Putin himself -- and therefore speaks to him in an understandable language of deals and interests,” says Preobrazhensky.
According to the political analyst, even if the confrontation between the U.S. and Russia will exacerbate, Putin and Trump will be able to de-escalate.
“There may be a stab in the back, a downing of a Russian fighter jet, and whatever else, and if we find ourselves on the brink of a nuclear war, they will at least speak an understandable language. How to talk to Kamala Harris and her entourage is completely incomprehensible to the Kremlin, because for them they are just aliens, people with completely different values, with completely different attitudes,” he says.
Valentina Matvienko, the chairwoman of Russia's upper house, the Federation Council:
"The numbers in the U.S. presidential election are convincing; this is a clear demonstration of protest against the current government's policies. There is not much to expect from Trump's return to power, but Russia is open to cooperation. Russia is ready to discuss global security issues."
Kyrgyz lawmaker Janar Akaev of the Alliance party, speaking to RFE/RL:
"It’s unlikely that the core values in the United States will change significantly with a change in leadership. The system in the U.S. operates independently of any single individual. In Kyrgyzstan, one person can come to power and alter the system of governance or even change the constitution. But in the U.S., state institutions are designed to function independently, and fundamental values such as democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech will endure.
"Some citizens of Kyrgyzstan are concerned that following Trump's election, there may be stricter immigration policies, making it more difficult to obtain a visa. However, in my view, this won’t have a significant impact on those issues."
Hungarian left-wing Szikra Mozgalom MP András Jámbor comments on the election result:
"This must be the end of identity politics in the Democratic Party. We in Europe must learn the same lesson: No one will vote left out of goodwill. They will not vote left because we say that we are not racist and homophobic and that we speak properly. That should be the basis of our policy, but it is not enough.
"They will vote here if we care about the people, their lives. Political identity cannot be a politician telling us from above what is right and wrong, but identity can only be that we are one and therefore we know together what is wrong and what is right. Fascism, as in this campaign, is not enough. We need an offer instead of fascism."
'Viktor Orban could be Trump's peace missionary'
An article from RFE/RL's Hungarian Service quotes foreign policy expert Botond Feledy as saying he believes it is easily possible that Donald Trump's first trip to Europe will lead to Budapest and that Viktor Orban will visit Moscow as his peace missionary on his planned new "peace mission."
Russians on the street, speaking to Reuters, say they don't believe the reelection of Donald Trump as U.S. president will change their lives, the economy, or the war in Ukraine:
Listeners from Afghanistan call in to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi:
Listener 1: “Trump becoming president does not change anything for Afghanistan and does not affect the situation here. Trump being president cannot affect the government of the Taliban at all.”
Listener 2: “Trump becoming president will result in the creation of an inclusive government or the Taliban’s government will fall. This is a hope for those people who have worked in the previous government, those who have left the country [fearing for their lives], and those women and girls who can’t go to school or work. This is a good news.”
Listener 3: “I think Trump is very serious in what he does. He might pressure the Taliban and as a result the Taliban might change their policies in Afghanistan. I think the Taliban will be held under pressure for women's rights and an inclusive government.“
Listener 4: “Trump had made some agreements with the Taliban in Doha. The first thing should be that he should answer for what the Taliban is doing in Afghanistan. The Taliban had promised in the agreement that they would respect human rights [and the] media will be active, but none of those things happened here. Secondly, he has expressed views on the Bagram air base. I think the Taliban will make another agreement about this.”
'Happy Victory, Mr. President!': A banner in Serbian congratulating Donald Trump on his U.S. election victory, in North Mitrovica:
Afghan men in a Kabul restaurant watch a television broadcast of Donald Trump's victory speech:
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Tokaev congratulates Trump:
"President Qasym-Zhomart Tokaev has sent congratulations to Donald Trump on the occasion of his convincing victory in the U.S. presidential election.
"The Head of State expressed confidence in the progressive development of bilateral cooperation in the field of security, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and investment.
"The President of Kazakhstan wished Donald Trump successful work for the benefit of the prosperity of the American people, ensuring global stability and security.