With tensions between Moscow and Washington at an all-time high, Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to congratulate the winner of the upcoming US presidential election, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The election, which will be held on November 5, 2024, pits Democratic candidate Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump. Peskov’s comments, made in an interview on October 11, suggest that regardless of who wins the White House, relations between the two superpowers are unlikely to improve.

When asked whether Putin would extend the traditional gesture of congratulations to the US president-elect, Peskov was clear: “I don’t think so, they [the US] are an extremely unfriendly state after all.” The Kremlin spokesman’s remarks reflect Moscow’s view of the US as a hostile nation, citing Washington’s actions against Russia and its citizens. Peskov also pointed out that the US is one of several Western nations on Russia’s “unfriendly” list, which includes the UK, the EU, and other countries perceived to have taken adversarial actions against Moscow.

The strained relations between Russia and the US have been especially evident in the past two years. The rapid deterioration of diplomatic ties began in 2022 when the US and its allies imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions, aimed at crippling key sectors of the Russian economy such as energy and banking, have drawn the ire of Moscow. In addition, the US has provided significant military and financial........

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