U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday congratulated France's President-Elect Emmanuel Macron on his victory.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump called Macron on the phone to offer his congratulations. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he looks forward to working with Macron.
The U.S. leader had not publicly endorsed either French candidate ahead of the election, but let it be known he generally favored the views of Marine Le Pen, Macron's rival.
Leaders from around the world and other political heavyweights have sent congratulatory messages to Macron.
Former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and New York mayor Bill de Blasio, among others, congratulated Macron and the people of France for the presidential election result.
“Your victory is a victory for a strong and united Europe and for French-German friendship," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said in statement.
Macron spoke with Merkel after his victory was announced, telling her that he would travel to Berlin “very quickly.”
A British spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement that May “warmly congratulates President-elect Macron on his election success. France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new President on a wide range of shared priorities."
May also discussed Brexit with Macron, saying "the UK wants a strong partnership with a secure and prosperous EU once we leave," the spokesman added.
European Union leaders also offered congratulations to Macron: "Happy that the French chose a European future," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wrote on Twitter.
EU Council President Donald Tusk said the French had chosen "liberty, equality and fraternity" and "said no to the tyranny of fake news."
In a message posted Monday on the Kremlin website, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Macron and called on him to "overcome mutual mistrust and unite to ensure international stability and security."
Putin said, "The citizens of France have entrusted you to lead the country in a period that is difficult for Europe and for all of world society. The growing threat of terrorism and militant extremism is accompanied by an escalation of local conflicts and the destabilization of entire regions."
The Kremlin said Putin told Macron the Russian leader is ready to cooperate on bilateral, regional and global issues.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said "the victory of President-elect Macron is a symbolic victory against inward-looking and protectionist moves and shows a vote of confidence in the EU."
Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his message to Macron that China is willing to push partnership with France to a higher level. Xi said their countries share a "responsibility toward peace and development in the world."
Xi recalled that France was the first Western power to establish diplomatic relations with communist-ruled China in 1964.
Other world leaders from Canada to Latin America to Australia also congratulated Macron on his historic victory.
Macron, the youngest French leader since the Emperor Napoleon, will take office on May 14, 2017.
