Putin becomes the first leader to congratulate The Donald while France’s US ambassador declares ‘the world is collapsing before our eyes’

World leaders have reacted with disbelief after the surprise election of Donald Trump as US president - and Russian President Vladimir Putin has become one of the first to congratulate the Republican on his win.

A senior figure in the German government has described the result as a 'huge shock', and questioned whether it will mean an end to 'Pax Americana' - the state of relative peace overseen by Washington since the end of World War Two.

And the current French ambassador to the United States wrote that the 'world is collapsing before our eyes' in an astonishing attack on the newly-elected President.

In a now-deleted tweet, before Trump's victory was confirmed, Gerard Araud wrote: 'After Brexit and this election, everything is now possible. A world is collapsing before our eyes. Dizziness.'

But the result has been welcomed in Moscow, where officials say they are optimistic of improved relations with the US under a Trump presidency.

Newspapers in Canada (left) and Australia (right) demonstrated their surprise at Trump's victory in the race for the White House 

The result has sent shockwaves across the world, with German Justice Minister Heiko Maas tweeted Twitter: 'The world won't end, but things will get more crazy'

'Trumped' was the headline in the Daily News in Barbados, while El Pais in Spain carried a picture of stunned Hillary Clinton supporters

Trump's victory plunges the world into uncertainty, reports Le Figaro in France, whose ambassador to the US, Gerard Araud, wrote: 'A world is collapsing before our eyes'

French President Francois Hollande warned that Trump's election would lead to 'uncertainty'.

He said: 'I congratulate him as is natural between two democratic heads of state. This American election opens a period of uncertainty.'

He said France would be vigilant and frank in talks with the new White House administration. 

France's Liberation newspaper ran with the headline 'Very Bad Trump', echoing concerns in the French administration over the Republican's election

'This American election opens a period of uncertainty,' said French President Francois Hollande after Trump's election victory

Russian president Putin has sent Trump a telegram of congratulation.

In a brief statement, the Kremlin said Putin expressed 'his hope to work together for removing Russian-American relations from their crisis state'.

Putin also said he had confidence that a 'constructive dialogue' could be built between Moscow and Washington, saying it would be 'in the interests of our peoples and the world community'.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured today, was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his win

British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she plans to speak with the incoming president 'at the earliest possible opportunity'.

In a statement released after Trump's victory she said: 'I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next president of the United States, following a hard-fought campaign.

'Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

'We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defence.

'I look forward to working with president-elect Donald Trump, building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.'

Source: Dailymail.uk