“Trump Is Intelligent and Experienced”: Putin Praises President-Elect Amid Ukraine Tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday, calling him an “intelligent and experienced” leader capable of resolving complex geopolitical issues. Speaking in Kazakhstan, Putin’s remarks came as tensions over the war in Ukraine continue to escalate.
Putin criticized President Joe Biden for authorizing Ukraine’s use of the U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has the capability to hit targets inside Russia. The move prompted the U.K. and France to approve the use of their long-range missile systems as well. Putin accused Biden of creating “additional difficulties” for Trump’s incoming administration, told CNN.
Russia responded with a massive missile barrage on Thursday, targeting Ukraine’s power grid and leaving over a million households without electricity. Putin also threatened the potential use of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, known as “Oreshnik,” to target Ukrainian military and industrial sites. “We will use the means at our disposal,” Putin warned, including strikes on “decision-making centers” in Kyiv.
When pressed to define “decision-making centers,” Putin deflected with a cryptic joke, saying, “In Soviet times there was a joke about weather forecasts: today, during the day, anything is possible.” Putin’s tone regarding Trump marked a shift from recent Kremlin rhetoric accusing Biden of “escalating” the conflict. Putin expressed optimism that U.S.-Russia relations could improve under Trump’s leadership.
“As far as I can imagine, the newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution,” Putin said. Trump, during his campaign, vowed to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours,” though he has not provided specific details on how. On Wednesday, Trump announced he would nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg as a special envoy to address the conflict.
“Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Trump wrote on social media. Putin also addressed the legal and personal challenges Trump faced during his campaign, including assassination attempts and his criminal convictions. “Absolutely uncivilized means of struggle were used against Trump more than once,” Putin said, expressing concern for Trump’s safety.
He referred to Trump’s legal battles, including his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in June, as “humiliating, unfounded judicial procedures.” While Putin’s praise for Trump stands in stark contrast to his criticism of Biden, the escalating conflict in Ukraine highlights the complex challenges awaiting Trump’s incoming administration.
