Congratulations for Donald Trump poured in from leaders around the world on Wednesday as the former US president secured his return to the White House.
Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to have major implications for US foreign policy, with the 78-year-old being known for his isolationist streak and opposition to traditional pillars of US foreign policy such as support for NATO.
Among those congratulating Trump was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country is heavily dependent on US aid in its defence against Russia. “Congratulations to [Donald Trump] on his impressive election victory!” Zelensky wrote on the platform X even before the Republican’s victory had been called.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” he added.
The mood was ebullient out of Moscow, which has led a full-scale war against Ukraine for more than two and a half years, with no end in sight. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who now sits on the Russian Security Council, said it was a sad day for the “scum” in Kiev, in a post on Telegram.
Newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, whose alliance has a key role in the war on Ukraine, congratulated Trump on X, writing: “His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong.”
While both Democrats and Republicans have historically supported Israel against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah organizations, Trump is seen as a firm ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu was quick to heap praise on the victor on Wednesday, hailing what he called “history’s greatest comeback.” “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” Netanyahu said. In Iran, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said it “does not matter who becomes president in the United States.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his “friend” had won the presidential election after a “great struggle.”
Populist leaders across Europe also sent their congratulations on Wednesday, while European Union officials stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic ties.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the strategic connections between Italy and the United States would now become even stronger. “Good luck with your work, president!” the far-right prime minister added.
“Congratulations, Mr President ... You made it happen!” Poland’s conservative nationalist president, Andrzej Duda, posted on X.
Dutch right-wing populist politician Geert Wilders joined in the chorus. “Congratulations America! Never stop, always keep fighting and win elections!” Wilders wrote on X before Trump was projected the winner. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to working with the presumptive 47th president of the United States on “a strong trans-Atlantic agenda” that delivers for their people.
Von der Leyen said the EU and the US “are more than just allies,” bound by a “shared history, commitment to freedom and democracy, and common goals of security and opportunity for all.”
UN Secretary General António Guterres described cooperation between the US and the United Nations as an “essential pillar of international relations” as he congratulated Trump. (DPA)
