Photo credit: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated Joe Biden on winning the U.S. presidential election.

Putin’s message to Biden came a day after the Electoral College confirmed Biden as the nation’s next president, ratifying his November victory.

Putin said he “wished the president-elect every success” and was “ready for interaction and contact.”

Putin was one of the  world leaders who had not acknowledged Biden’s victory. President Donald Trump is still refusing to concede his defeat at the election. Many Republican lawmakers have followed Trump’s lead and have not publicly endorsed Biden’s victory.

In a telegram sent to Biden published and published by Russian state media, Putin “expressed confidence that Russia and the U.S., who bear special responsibility for global security and stability, can facilitate resolution of many problems and challenges faced by the world now despite disagreements.”