In Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin lauds Donald Trump’s ability to find solutions, suggesting relations with the US may improve after Trump takes office

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed strong approval of US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday, calling him an “intelligent and experienced” leader capable of resolving global tensions. Speaking at a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin’s comments stood in stark contrast to the ongoing hostility between Moscow and the West, particularly over the war in Ukraine.

Putin, who has often been at odds with the Biden administration, criticised President Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use American-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike deep within Russian territory. This move, which Putin described as “creating additional difficulties” for the incoming Trump administration, has only escalated tensions between the two nuclear powers. The Russian president hinted that future US-Russia relations might improve with Trump’s return to office, suggesting that Trump’s experience would help find a way forward.

“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. His remarks reflected a noticeable shift in tone, with Putin emphasising Trump’s diplomatic acumen and experience. This positive rhetoric stands in contrast to the Kremlin’s more combative stance toward the Biden administration, which it accuses of exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine by allowing Kyiv to target military sites within Russia using the advanced missiles.

The war in Ukraine, which has entered its second year, remains a primary point of contention in US-Russian relations, with Moscow continuing to press its territorial claims in Ukraine and threatening nuclear escalation. On Wednesday, Putin warned of potential nuclear strikes on Ukraine, including a threat to deploy the “Oreshnik” missile, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, in retaliation for Ukraine’s use of American-made weapons.

Meanwhile, Trump, who has consistently vowed to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours,” has refrained from directly stating his position on whether he supports Ukraine’s victory. His stance has been a source of both curiosity and concern, as he has yet to clarify how he intends to resolve the conflict. His nomination of Gen. Keith Kellogg as a special envoy for peace between Ukraine and Russia has added another layer of intrigue, with Trump promoting a “peace through strength” policy, vowing to make the world “safe again.”

Putin’s admiration for Trump extended beyond politics, acknowledging the personal challenges Trump faced during the election campaign. Referring to two assassination attempts on Trump’s life, Putin highlighted the “uncivilized means of struggle” used against the former president. The first attempt occurred in Pennsylvania in July, when Trump was injured, and the second involved a man charged with attempted assassination after being found with a rifle at one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida.

Despite these violent threats, Putin expressed concern over Trump’s safety, suggesting that the president-elect’s security could still be at risk as he prepares to return to the White House in January. This marked a rare moment of empathy from the Russian leader, contrasting with the usual political rivalry between the two men.

Putin’s comments are likely to fuel further debate on the future of US-Russia relations, particularly given Trump’s unorthodox approach to foreign policy and his frequent praise of Putin during his first presidential term. As tensions continue to rise over Ukraine and other global issues, the world will be watching closely to see how Trump and Putin interact once the new administration takes office.