Russia on Wednesday welcomed Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election with a “great sense of relief,” a prominent Western investor in Moscow said.
“There was a real sense that with Hillary Clinton, the Cold War would have returned,” Chris Weafer, a senior partner at Russian-focused investment consultancy Macro Advisory said.
“Clinton’s “reset” of U.S.-Russian relations during her time as the top U.S. diplomat tragically unravelled and she had harsh words for Russia during her presidential campaign.
“Clinton instilled a “fear that her team would have been very tough with Russia and raise the risk of a real confrontation,” Weafer said.
Russia’s benchmark MICEX stock index rose steadily on the news of a Trump victory, while other financial indicators around the world fell and investors sought haven in bets on gold.
Weafer, however, cautioned against speculation of a Russian economic resurgence despite the news, as prices for the country’s main export, oil, remain relatively low and Western sanctions stay in place.
A Trump presidency will not solve Russia’s economic problems, “but at least it should not make them worse,” Weafer said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first to congratulate Trump, saying he hoped to “bring US-Russian relations out of their state of crisis”.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also congratulated Trump and expressed hope that Trump would advance security in the Middle East.
Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday in Tel Aviv that he was looking forward to working together to “advance security, stability and peace in our region”.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, said he was looking forward to continuing a partnership with the United States of America under Trump.
Meanwhile, Nir Barkat, Jerusalem’s Mayor, reminded Trump of his promise to relocate U.S. Embassy.
The mayor reminded Trump of his controversial campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy to his city in a congratulatory letter sent on Wednesday.
“I am confident that you will continue to empower our city by reaffirming its sovereignty and moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Trump had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a September meeting in New York that as president, he would recognise Jerusalem “as the undivided capital” of Israel.
Similar promises made by past U.S. presidential candidates, including former President George W. Bush, were never followed through upon.
While the Israeli government sits in Jerusalem and insists that the city is its “eternal, undivided capital,” the rest of the world does not accept that position, and foreign embassies are located in or near Tel Aviv.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 war and effectively annexed shortly afterward, to be the capital of their future state.
He said in Kuala Lumpur that polls had failed to recognise the Republican candidate’s support base.
“Mr Trump’s success shows that politicians should never take voters for granted.
“Opinion polls, and established political figures, all underestimated the strength of his support,” he said.
Razak appealed to Americans who have been left behind, those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare to be less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against US interests.
The premiers said Malaysia and the U.S. had managed to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive partnership in 2014 and were firm allies in the worldwide fight against terrorism and extremism.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government on Wednesday said it was looking forward to working with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to enhance bilateral ties.
President Rodrigo Duterte, congratulated Trump and hailed the U.S. two-party system that gave the country voters freedom of choice based on party platform, not just personalities.
“I wish Trump success in the next four years as Chief Executive and commander-in chief of the U.S. military.
Duterte said he was looking forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law.
Duterte, who has been compared to Trump, has criticised the U.S. in recent statements and vowed to “separate” the Philippines from the US, vowing to chart a foreign policy that does not mimic that of Washington’s.
In a related development, South African President, Jacob Zuma, said he was looking forward to working with president-elect Donald Trump to build on the strong relations that exists between the two countries.
Zuma was hoping for close cooperation with Trump’s administration on issues including peace, security and prosperity, especially in Africa.
He congratulated Trump on behalf of his government and the people of South Africa.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, also congratulated Trump on his election win and offers Germany’s “close cooperation” on the basis of the countries’ shares values.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed appreciation to U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump, for the friendship toward India during his campaign.
He said in a letter on Wednesday in New Delhi that India is looking forward to working to take India-U.S bilateral ties to a new height.
During a campaign speech to Indian-American voters last month, Trump had praised Modi and promised India and U.S would become “best friends” if he was elected.
Also in central Delhi, members from a Hindu right-wing group, the Hindu Sena, celebrated Trump’s victory by dancing and distributing sweets.
Meanwhile, a top leader of the Kurdistan Regional Government of northern Iraq congratulates Trump on his election victory, and called for an increase in aid to the Kurdish forces battling Islamic State.
Masrour Barzani, the chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, said in a statement that Trump must give adequate support to the Kurdish.
“We hope the president-elect will increase support to the Peshmerga and the Kurdish people as the most reliable, effective and trusted ally in the war on terrorism.
“The U.S. is allied with both the Kurdistan region of Iraq and the Syrian Kurds in the war against Islamic State.
Their forces are advancing on the extremists’ strongholds in both countries, including the defacto capitals, Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.
The Kurds have complained about not getting sufficient advanced weaponry to combat Islamic State.
The Vatican also congratulated U.S. president-elect Trump and expressed the hope that his actions in office will be more responsible than his slogans as a campaigner.
Cardinal Secretary of State Piero Parolin, said, “We extend our wishes to the new president that his government may be really fruitful and also our prayers to the Lord so that he may enlighten him and support him in the service to his country.”
Parolin, who is the Vatican’s Prime minister, said the time had come for all to come together as a body to work together to change the situation in the world, which was seriously divided and seriously in conflict.
Reacting to the Trump’s pledge to build a wall on the Mexican border, which Pope Francis criticised, Parolin said, “normally they say one thing is to be a candidate another is to be a president”.
He said it was premature to give judgements.
President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Donald Trump.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
The statement quoted Buhari as congratulating American citizens on the outcome of the election, which he said, was keenly observed by “all true lovers of democracy and those who believe in the will of the people’’.
According to the statement, Buhari looks forward to working together with Trump to strengthen the already established friendly relations between both countries, including cooperation on many shared foreign policy priorities, such as the fight against terrorism, peace and security, economic growth, democracy and good governance.
“As Mr Trump prepares to assume the position of the President of the United States, President Buhari extends his good wishes to him on the onerous task of leading the world’s strongest economy,’’ the statement added.
