LONDON — World leaders and top officials responded to the unfolding results of the 2024 presidential election as the battle drew to a close.

While former President Donald Trump held a significant lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House and claimed victory, French President Emmanuel Macron offered his congratulations to Trump in post on X.

“Ready to work together as we have been doing for four years,” Macron said, referring to Trump’s first term. “With your beliefs and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated both Trump and his wife Melania. “Congratulations on the greatest comeback in history,” Netanyahu wrote on X. “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a strong renewed commitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”

“This is a huge victory,” Netanyahu added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, newly appointed Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar all also offered their congratulations.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — a longtime conservative ally of Trump — posted on X early Wednesday to celebrate what he called “the greatest comeback in US political history.” Orban congratulated Trump on “his huge victory,” which he described as a “much-needed victory for the world.”

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on Facebook that he hoped “Hungarian-American political cooperation will return to its top form, because we have similar thoughts on peace, illegal immigration and protection of families.”

“And there is a greater chance than ever before that there will be peace in Ukraine after almost a thousand days,” Szijjarto added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised what he called Trump’s “impressive election victory.” He wrote in a post on We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” Zelenskyy added. “This is exactly the principle that can practically bring a just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put this into practice together.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, meanwhile, posted on X a video of Harris reciting a psalm during the campaign. “The crying may last a night, but the joy comes in the morning,” Harris said in the video. Zakharova wrote: “Hallelujah, I will add myself.”

In a later post, Zakharova said: “Those who live by love for their country, and not by hatred for others, win.”

Former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Telegram that Trump “has one characteristic that is useful to us: as a businessman at heart, he absolutely does not like to spend money on all kinds of hangers-on” and “idiot allies.” thus suggesting his election. could be a brake on US aid to Ukraine.

“The question is how much Trump will have to give for the war,” wrote Medvedev – who is now vice chairman of Russia’s Security Council. “He is stubborn, but the system is stronger.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Trump’s leadership “will once again be the key to keeping our alliance strong.” He added: “I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO.”

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, wrote on social media: “I sincerely congratulate Donald J. Trump.”

“The EU and the US are more than just allies,” she added. “We are connected by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. So let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that continues to deliver for them.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Trump in a statement on a “historic election victory.” He added: “I look forward to working with you in the years to come. As the closest allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values ​​of freedom, democracy and entrepreneurship.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X: “Good work, Mr. President.”

“Italy and the United States are ‘sister countries’, bound by an unshakable alliance, common values ​​and a historic friendship,” she wrote. “It is a strategic bond that I am sure we will now strengthen even further.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Trump as a “friend” in his congratulatory post to X.

“I hope that relations between Turkey and the US will strengthen, that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the war between Russia and Ukraine, will come to an end,” Erdogan said.

The leaders of both India and Pakistan quickly conveyed their best wishes. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote: “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the comprehensive global and strategic partnership between India and the US. Let us work together for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.”

Across the border in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said he “looks forward to working closely with the new government to further strengthen and broaden the partnership between Pakistan and the US.”

South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol also tweeted a congratulatory message. “Under your strong leadership, the future of the Republic of Korea-US-America alliance will shine brighter,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with you.”

This is a development story. Check back for updates.

Tom Soufi Burridge, Bruno Nota, Morgan Winsor, Habibullah Khan and Joohee Cho of ABC News contributed to this article.