1) He’s not stupid
2) I can’t push him around
Drill
Baby
Drill
Putin already said months ago that it doesn’t matter to him who wins. That no matter the good intentions of a particular President, the National Security Intelligence Complex controls policy and quickly reigns them in.
He watched as DC, including Republicans, screeched in rage last time he met with Trump alone.
He knows the lunacy of the Russia Russia Russia mentality in DC also.
So there is no benefit to call him. Putin correctly judges that it cannot help Russia to do so, that the call would literally have 150 people like Vindman listening to every word. And that a nice call from him would merely be used to attack Trump.
It’s bizarre that anyone expects their should be a call. Putin showed who he was when he was the first world leader to call the US President after 9/11. And it wasn’t just thoughts and prayers, it was material support to go after Bin Ladin.