Vladimir Putin gives thumps-up to Trump victory
![Vladimir_Putin_and_Benyamin_Netanyahu_(2016-04-21)_02_1478686050219-401385.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox7austin.com/www.fox7austin.com/content/uploads/2019/08/764/432/Vladimir_Putin_and_Benyamin_Netanyahu__OP_2016-04-21_CP__02_1478686050219_2257994_ver1.0_640_360.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is giving a thumbs-up to president-elect Donald Trump's victory.
In a brief statement Wednesday, the Kremlin said Putin has sent Trump a telegram to congratulate him on winning. Putin expressed "his hope to work together for removing Russian-American relations from their crisis state."
Putin also says he has confidence that building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington -- one based on principles of equality, mutual respect and a real accounting of each other's positions -- is in the interest of both nations and the world.
Trump has drawn criticism for repeatedly praising Putin's leadership and advocating a closer working relationship with Russia despite its record of human rights abuses and recent military incursions in Ukraine and Syria.