Putin lauds 'courageous' Trump, says Russia ready for dialogue

SOCHI, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 7 congratulated Donald Trump on winning the U.S. election, praised him for showing courage when a gunman tried to assassinate him, and said Moscow was ready for dialogue with the Republican president-elect.

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In his first public remarks since Trump's win, Mr. Putin said Trump had acted like a real man during an assassination attempt on him while he was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July.

"He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man," Mr. Putin said at the Valdai Discussion Club think tank, in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. "I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election."

Mr. Putin said remarks Trump had made during the election campaign about Ukraine and restoring relations with Russia deserved attention.

"What was said about the desire to restore relations with Russia, to bring about the end of the Ukrainian crisis - in my opinion, this deserves attention at least," said Mr. Putin.

Trump said during campaigning that he could bring peace in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected, but has given few details on how he would seek to end the biggest land war in Europe since World War II.