Trump, Putin Congratulate Abe on Winning Party Leadership Poll

September 21, 2018

Washington/Moscow- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on winning a third straight term as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in an election the same day.

"Congratulations to my good friend," Trump said on Twitter, praising Abe's "huge" victory in the race for the LDP presidency.

"I'm looking forward to many more years of working together," Trump said, adding, "See you in New York next week!"

The Japanese and U.S. leaders are expected to hold talks in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session.

In the election, Abe beat his sole contender, former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, securing the continuation of his government for up to three more years. The LDP's rules allow its president to serve up to three three-year terms in a row for a total of nine years.

A U.S. Department of State official also congratulated Abe on the election win and showed hopes that close U.S.-Japan ties will continue.

Putin sent a congratulatory message to Abe, according to the Kremlin.

In the message, Putin said that his recent interactions with Abe were very constructive and useful, stressing that the two leaders will keep dialogue and continue working on regional and global challenges, as well as issues between Russia and Japan.

Abe and Putin held a bilateral summit in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok on Sept. 10, on the fringe of an annual Eastern Economic Forum meeting. Jiji Press