Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was among the international leaders on Monday to extend their congratulations to the 47th president of the United States, as a good portion of the world – based on preliminary television viewership numbers – tuned in to watch the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, who returns to the White House after four years.

Trump was sworn-in immediately after the new US Vice-President, J.D. Vance.

On his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump hours before the inauguration in Washington, saying he was open to dialogue with the new US administration on Ukraine and nuclear arms.
Putin, who said he wanted to secure a long-lasting peace in Ukraine rather than a short ceasefire, made the comments during a meeting of Russia’s security council, which was broadcast on state-run television.

The reaction was much the same in Europe, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extending her congratulations as well.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with a view to the Russia-Ukraine war, noted that “…since Mr. Trump repeatedly said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war, we as Turkey will do whatever necessary in this regard. We need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. This issue will be on our agenda with our talks with Mr. Trump, and we would take our steps accordingly. I wish Mr. Trump’s second term would bring good for all humanity.”