Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his unexpected victory in the US Presidential election.
Across the globe world leaders are reacting with messages of congratulations, reservations or hopes to uphold previous deals and alliances,
Responses include those from Iranian Foreign Secretary Zarif, German Prime Minister Angela Merkel and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
There has been speculation that Russia was attempting to meddle in the US election after Wikileaks released a series of leaks about Hillary Clinton.
Putin said: “Building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington, based on principles of equality, mutual respect and each other’s positions, meets the interests of the peoples of our countries and of the entire international community.”
German Prime Minister Angela Merkel has also reacted, making it clear where she stands on some of Trump’s campaign rhetoric.
She said: “Germany and America are connected by values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political views.”
European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also released a joint statement.
They said: “It is more important than ever to strengthen transatlantic relations.
“Only by cooperating closely can the EU and the US continue to make a difference when dealing with unprecedented challenges such as Da’esh [ISIS], the threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, climate change and migration.
“I offer the next president of the United States close cooperation on the basis of these values. The partnership with the United States is and remains a foundation of German foreign policy.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave a curt response to the results by making it clear Iran intends to stand by the nuclear deal which was reached in 2015, calling it irreversible.
He said: “The results of the US election have no effect on the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Iran’s policy for constructive engagement with the world and the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions have made our economic relations with all countries expanding and irreversible.”
French Le Front National leader Marine Le Pen was reportedly the first to congratulate Trump, having been a supporter throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile there are reports that French Ambassador to the United States, Gerard Araud, tweeted and then promptly deleted it.
He was reported to have said: “After Brexit and this election, everything is now possible. A world is collapsing before our eyes. Dizziness.”
