Russian President Vladimir Putin extended congratulations to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his inauguration day, expressing optimism for renewed dialogue between Moscow and Washington.

Speaking during a rare Monday meeting of Russia’s Security Council—televised across state media—Putin underscored his openness to discussions on critical global issues, including the war in Ukraine and nuclear arms control, reports Reuters.

“We see the statements by the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia,” Putin remarked.

He also welcomed Trump’s commitment to averting global conflict.

“We also hear his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War Three. We, of course, welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office.”

This statement, Reuters says highlights cautious optimism within the Kremlin that Trump could pave the way for a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, which have been strained to their lowest point since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

However, Russian officials privately acknowledge that these hopes could be dashed by Washington’s policy complexities.

Addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin emphasised the importance of durable solutions rather than temporary measures.

“The goal should not be a brief ceasefire, not some kind of period of respite that would allow a regrouping and rearmament of forces, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people and all peoples who live in the region,” he said.

Despite Putin’s stated readiness for dialogue, his insistence that Russia’s territorial claims be recognized—a stance rejected by Ukraine—remains a sticking point.

Trump, who has pledged to swiftly end the conflict, has yet to detail how he plans to achieve this without compromising U.S. and allied positions.

Putin also signalled Moscow’s willingness to engage in discussions about nuclear arms control, particularly the renewal of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), set to expire on February 5, 2026.

This treaty remains the last standing framework regulating nuclear arsenals between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.

Trump’s inauguration ceremony was underway at the time of filing this report, with his swearing-in just an hour or two away.

The historic event marks the beginning of a presidency that has generated both anticipation and uncertainty, particularly in the context of US-Russia relations and global geopolitical shifts.

Minutes after the new president of the United States of America took office on Monday his administration officials shut down a mobile app designed for migrants to schedule appointments at the U.S.-Mexico border.

By disabling the CBP One app, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials effectively canceled all pending appointments made by migrants without visas who were seeking entry into the United States through legal ports of entry.

This move marks part of a broader effort by the new administration to impose stricter measures at the border, despite a significant decrease in migration over the past six months.

According to CBP data, U.S. officials encountered 96,048 foreign nationals at the border in December. Of those, 48,722 sought formal admission at a port of entry.

The last time monthly encounters dipped below 100,000 before November was in January 2021, coinciding with former President Biden’s inauguration. That month, CBP reported 78,414 encounters, with only 3,098 individuals presenting at ports of entry. The remainder were intercepted by Border Patrol agents after crossing the border illegally.

CBP One had been a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s strategy to direct migrants toward legal avenues for seeking refuge in the United States.

President Trump is expected to sign ten executive orders on Monday addressing border policy, including measures to dismantle pathways introduced during the previous administration.

These actions aim to revert to earlier policies, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the “remain in Mexico” policy. Under this program, approximately 70,000 third-country nationals were returned to Mexico over two years to await decisions on their U.S. asylum applications.

US President Donald Trump says God saved him from an assassin’s bullet to “make America great again.”

Trump said this during his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on Monday.

“Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear.

“But I felt then and believe, even more so now that my life was saved for a reason.

“I was saved by God to make America great again,” he said during his inaugural address.

Trump was shot on July 13 near Butler, in the state of Pennsylvania.

Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to climb to an elevated position with an assault rifle and fire a number of shots at Trump at the rally, with a bullet grazing the former U.S. president’s right ear. (dpa/NAN)