Former Donald Trump’s victory in Tuesday’s election means he will once again be leading the most powerful nation and dictating its place on the world stage for the next four years. 

His approach to foreign policy – which, in his first term, was largely driven by an “America first” ideology of isolationism – will make an impact around the globe at a time in which two wars are still blazing in Europe and the Middle East. 

The former president is credited with influencing many in the Republican party to shift to take on a more isolationist view of America’s role around the world. 

Trump has questioned the amount of support – namely money – the U.S. has provided Ukraine in its war with Russia, pledged he would end the fighting before he even takes office if re-elected and recently touted his relationship with both of the country’s leaders ahead of a meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York in September. He has criticized NATO member countries for not spending enough on defense and threatened to allow Russia to attack them.   

The former president said in October that he had recently spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the pair sat down together at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida over the summer. The war in Gaza took a central role in the Democratic party this election as some pushed back on the Biden administration’s support for Israel. It was thought to have the possibility to hurt Vice President Kamala Harris chances to win, especially as one of the nation’s most crucial battleground states, Michigan, which is home to a large Arab-American population appeared to lead the charge in the dissatisfaction. 

President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020 and ran against him in 2024 until the president dropped his re-election bid in July amid pressure from his own party, recently claimed that the rest of the world was “scared to death” about the possibility Trump will assume America’s highest office again. 

Reaction and congratulations poured in from around the globe on Wednesday after the election was called.

Zelenskyy, whose country perhaps has the most at stake, took to social media to share his reaction in a lengthy post, recalling the pair’s meeting in September and referring to his election victory as “impressive.” 

The Ukrainian leader went on to note he appreciates Trump’s” commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs.” 

“We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership,” Zelenskyy wrote. “We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not directly acknowledged the election but Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov gave a muted response at a press briefing on Wednesday, noting that relations between his country and the U.S. are at their lowest point and saying Russia will wait to see what happens when Trump takes office. 

"President Putin has repeatedly said that he is open to a constructive dialogue based on justice, equality, and mutual respect for each other’s concerns. And President Putin remains committed to this position and has reiterated it multiple times," Peskov said, according to Russian state-run media outlet TASS. “But today, the US administration holds a contrary position. Let’s wait and see what happens in January.” 

Peskov also said Putin has no plan to personally congratulate Trump. Journalist Bob Woodward recently reported that Trump spoke with the Russian leader after leaving office, but Trump would not directly answer if he did when asked. 

Meanwhile, other leaders in Europe and the NATO secretary general all offered their congratulations. 

Mark Rutte, who recently took over as NATO secretary general, said in a post on social media that he congratulated Trump. 

“His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong,” he wrote. “I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO.” 

The United Kingdom’s Keir Starmer posted a statement on social media, calling Trump’s victory “historic.” 

“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” Starmer said, adding that the U.S. and UK stand “shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.” 

Multiple outlets reported that officials for Starmer’s Labour Party campaigned in the U.S. for Harris, sparking Trump’s team to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission.

France’s Emmanuel Macron also posted a brief statement on social media, saying he is “Ready to work together.” 

Italy’s Giorgia Meloni also acknowledged the victory on social media as did European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, who said the EU and U.S. are “bound by a true partnership between our people.” 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave his congratulations to Trump and referred to him as a “friend” on social media. 

Hungary’s President Viktor Orbán, who is known to be close with Trump and met with the former president over the summer at his resort in Florida, referred to the election outcome as the “biggest comeback in US political history.”

“Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on his enormous win,” Orbán wrote in a social media post. “ A much needed victory for the World!”

In the Middle East, Netanyahu issued a statement in which he referred to Trump’s win as a “huge victory.”

“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” the statement, addressed to Donald and Melania Trump, reads. “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”

President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, who administers part of the West Bank, posted a statement on the Authority's news agency WAFA.

"We will remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, and we are confident that the United States will support, under your leadership, the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people," he said, according to a translation by CBS News. 

In the Indo-Pacific, a region Biden has placed an emphasis on strengthening amid rocky relations with China, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te offered “sincere congratulations” to the former president on social media. 

“I'm confident that the longstanding #Taiwan-#US partnership, built on shared values & interests, will continue to serve as a cornerstone for regional stability & lead to greater prosperity for us all,” he wrote. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted in a congratulatory post on social media that “Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies” while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his “Heartiest congratulations” to his “friend” on the election win. 

“As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership,” the Indian leader wrote. 

Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, who was recently sworn in as the country’s first female president, told reporters Wednesday morning that she was  holding off on formally recognizing anything until votes are finalized, Reuters reported. At the same time, she said there is “no reason to worry,” about Trump’s election in the face of his threat to impose higher tariffs on imports from her country. 

Meanwhile, Brazil’s leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wished the new Trump administration “luck and success” in a post on social media. Trump is a close ally of Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.