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Putin FINALLY congratulates Biden after Electoral College vote, never-Trumpers slam GOP leaders yet to do same

The Russian strongman wished the Delaware Democrat forty-two days after the US election, expressing 'a conviction' that the two nuclear superpowers would work together 'despite differences'

Vladimir Putin has extended his congratulations to Joe Biden on his election victory in a telegram offering "Russian-American cooperation," the Kremlin has said. The Russian strongman wished the Delaware Democrat forty-two days after the US election, expressing "a conviction" that the two nuclear superpowers would work together "despite differences," Independent reported.

"Vladimir Putin wished the President-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which bear special responsibility for global security and stability, despite their differences can truly contribute to solving many problems and challenges that the world is currently facing," a Kremlin readout said on Tuesday.
 
“On my side, I am ready for cooperation and contact with you,” the Russian president’s official message on Kremlin's website read.  

According to the report, Biden's win was sealed overnight with final declarations from states in the Electoral College, although the Trump campaign continues to contest the results in court.

The joke in Moscow until this morning had reportedly been who would be the first to congratulate Biden - Trump or Vladimir Putin.

Moscow exercised restraint in recognizing Biden's apparent victory in the November 3 election after several claims of voter fraud were brought up by GOP poll watchers and election officials across key swing states. Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov previously said the Russian leader would wait for "official results" to be certified due to what seemed like a disputed election.   

Meanwhile, it's worth noting that Putin has been far less reluctant in congratulating other potential counterparts. Kremlin was the first to recognize the victory of Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko in August, albeit there were several claims of mass fraud and crackdown.

According to the Independent, the delay in Putin recognizing Biden's win appears to stem from a "fundamental clash in worldview" between the two leaders. "For the former, a man schooled in the darkest arts of Soviet espionage, foreign affairs are a matter of realpolitik served ice cold," according to the Independent's Oliver Carroll. "The one-time US vice president, who is viewed with great suspicion in Moscow, sees things with a more ideological eye."

Biden claimed to the New Yorker in 2014 that he had told Putin during a meeting that he didn't think the former KGB agent had a soul. In response, Putin allegedly said: ”We understand each other.’" Back in October, Putin took issue with Biden when the former vice president called Trump “Putin’s puppy” during a debate. He has also called out Biden "sharp anti-Russian rhetoric."

Anti-Trump and left-leaning Twitterati slammed GOP congressional leaders for failing to recognize Biden's victory before Putin. "Incredible. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Joe Biden and calls him "president-elect," and though he was weeks behind other leaders, he still acknowledged reality sooner than many Congressional Republicans," journalist Steve Inskeep tweeted.

"Dear @realDonaldTrump You're so quiet tonight. Are you sad?" author Don Winslow added.

"#BiggestLoserTrump is feeling absolutely sickest today because his master #Putin has sent congratulatory messages to #PresidentElectBiden and #VicePresidentHarris. This hurts him more than the fact that he has lost the elections to Joe Biden more than 50 times since Nov. 3rd," one Twitter user wrote.

"Vladimir Putin congratulates Biden before American congressional leaders @senatemajldr and @GOPLeader. A sad day for American democracy," another chimed in.

"I realize that it's not exactly comparable, but Putin congratulated Biden. That's right, Putin. We are getting more civility from our enemies than our Republicans," a third added.