MOSCOW, Nov 8 (Bernama-Sputnik-RIA Novosti) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she held talks with Donald Trump and congratulated him on his victory in the United States (US) presidential election, as well as discussed the Ukraine crisis and bilateral relations.
"Excellent phone call with Donald Trump today to congratulate him on his election victory. Looking forward to strengthening European Union-US ties and working jointly to address geopolitical challenges," von der Leyen said on X on Thursday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
The parties discussed the Ukraine crisis, as well as defence, trade and energy, she added.
In the US presidential election which took place on November 5, Republican candidate Donald Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-2021, was declared the winner by all leading race callers and networks, as he secured enough votes in the Electoral College to win the election.
The Electoral College, the group of presidential electors from the states, will vote for the candidate whom each state’s voters have chosen on December 17, and the results will be approved by Congress on January 6. The presidential inauguration will take place on January 20.
Trump became the first US president since the 19th century to be elected to non-consecutive terms.
Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed confidence that Europe will work effectively with Donald Trump during his new term as US President.
"Europe previously worked effectively with @realDonaldTrump during his first term as president, and I am confident that this will continue. I look forward to our cooperation on various shared challenges, in Europe and worldwide," Schoof wrote on X after the first day of the European Political Community summit in Budapest.
He said the US is of great importance to Europe and to the Netherlands in terms of security and economy.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
