Donald Trump wins: Russian parliament bursts into applause upon hearing result
Country's jubilant politicians say 'Grandmother Hillary can take some rest now'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russian politicians sitting in parliament reportedly burst into applause when an MP broke the news of Donald Trump's emphatic election victory.
An announcement by Foreign Affairs Committee member Vyacheslav Nikonov that Mr Trump had triumphed was almost drowned out by clapping and cheering in the State Duma.
State news agency RIA-Novosti and Russian website Interfax.com quoted Mr Nikonov, also chairman of the Education Committee, as saying: "Three minutes ago, Hillary Clinton acknowledged her defeat in the US presidential elections and just seconds ago, Trump began his speech as president-elect. I congratulate all of you on this."
President Vladimir Putin subsequently sent 70-year-old Mr Trump a telegram congratulating him on the outcome.
In a brief statement, the Kremlin said Mr Putin had expressed his hope that the pair could "work together... [to improve] Russian-American relations from their [current] crisis state".
Mr Putin also said he had confidence in "building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington that is based on principles of equality, mutual respect and a real accounting of each other's positions, in the interests of our peoples and the world community".
Sergei Mironov, leader of the Fair Russia party, said: "As a man, I am not envious of Bill Clinton, because it seems he's a little wife who's followed Hillary Clinton to all the states like an old rucksack and now she's lost.
"This is the choice of Americans, as we always say. Russia will work with the president, elected by the American people."
Liberal Democrat boss Vladimir Zhirinovsky meanwhile said: "We will make up Mr Trump a telegram of congratulations: Dear Donald, we congratulate you on a well-deserved victory. Grandmother Hillary can take some rest now."
Mr Putin has tacitly supported the millionare property mogul during the campaign, while Mr Trump has repeatedly flattered and praised the Russian leader and said he was willing to work with him.
Father-of-five Mr Trump also denied ever meeting the Moscow leader, despite reports to the contraty.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán meanwhile said Mr Trump's victory is "great news" and shows "democracy is still alive."
Mr Orbán has been often criticised by the United States, including by Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State, for weakening the democratic system of checks and balances.
But Mr Orbán offered his congratulations to Trump on his Facebook page.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments