Russia congratulates Obama

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulation note to US President Barack Obama. Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the message will be published after reception, Interfax reports.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed joy that the main calling Russia his primary enemy will not become the US president. Medvedev called Obama an understandable and predictable partner.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia will cooperate with the new US administration as much as Washington wants. He added that there were no reasons for doubting results of the presidential polls.

Russian former Minister for Finances Alexey Kudrin said that Russia and the US needed real reboot of relations.

Leonid Kalashnikov, deputy head of the parliamentary committee for foreign relations (Communist Party), was positive about elections of Obama in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza. Kalashnikov said that Obama had always supported soft power and will not make harsh movements towards Russia.

Political analyst Sergey Markov, a member of the Russian Public Chamber, said that chances of Obama to win the elections were high, not only for success at TV debates. The expert noted that Mitt Romney had been called a loser by many people in the Republican Party and even his supporters had little hope in winning the elections. Markov added that another reason for success was efficient work during Hurricane Sandy.

Markov believes that Obama’s victory will have a positive effect on relations with Russia. Obama’s supporters had no Cold War mentality and consider Russia a strategic partner. He expressed hope that Obama will resolve the missile disputes with Russia.