New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he is not ready to recognise the US President-elect Joe Biden. He said that while he is ready to work with any US president it will be with someone whose victory has been 'recognised'.

"We will work with anyone who has the confidence of the American people. But that confidence can only be given to a candidate whose victory has been recognised by the opposing party, or after the results are confirmed in a legitimate, legal way," said Putin on Russian state TV in a report by IANS.

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Even though Putin also said that the decision to not offer congratulations is just a formality without any ulterior motive, his reaction is different from the one in 2016 when Donald Trump was voted to power when he was prompt in his congratulations. It has to be noted that a secret assessment by America's intelligence agency CIA had concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential elections.

Here's what other leaders feel about Biden

Putin's sentiment comes at a time when most leaders have recognised Biden's presidential win.

UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson was one of the first European leaders to offer congratulations to Joe Biden on his election win. During his phone call, he said that he looked forward to 'strengthening the partnership between the US and UK.'

Turkey: The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had remained silent about the US elections for a long time and finally according to media reports released an official statement on November 11 recognizing Joe Biden's victory. "I believe that the strong cooperation and alliance between our countries will continue to contribute to world peace in the future as it has been until today," said the statement. Under Trump's presidency, Turkey and US relationship became tumultuous over the war in Syria.

China: The Chinese president Xi Jinping took almost a week to congratulate Biden. After the election results were announced China remained cautious and the country's foreign ministry said that it will 'respond to the matter in accordance with international practice, as the official result should be determined as per laws and procedures'. On November 13, Jinping offered his congratulations. Although China and the US remain rivals, under Trump the relationship between the two countries had entered a 'new cold war'.

India: Last week Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his maiden telephonic conversation with US President-elect Joe Biden. The two leaders are said to have discussed the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and boosting strategic bilateral partnership. PM Modi also conveyed greetings to Kamala Harris for becoming vice president-elect.

Other leaders such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Markel, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and others have all congratulated Biden for his win.