Putin praises Donald Trump as ‘bright and talented’

Putin said he was unsure whether to keep a permanent base in Syria, because Russia’s new sea- and air-launched cruise missiles used recently in the country have given Moscow enough punch to strike from afar.

“He’s a brilliant, intelligent person without a doubt”.

In Vladimir Putin’s view, Donald Trump is “bright and talented”.

Trump holds the lead in opinion polls in his bid for the Republican nomination and was dubbed the “absolute leader” in the race by Putin on December 17.

MSNBC co-host co-host Mika Brzezinski asked Trump if he liked Putin’s comments about him. “He’s said that he wants to move to a new level of ties, closer and deeper ties with Russian Federation”.

So when Russian oligarch Vladimir Putin in essence endorsed Trump Thursday, the GOP frontrunner was thrilled, calling it a “great honor”.

“I think what he’s saying is, you know, a bit of bravado, telling them they’re doing a good job and our military is on the case and we can certainly bring in more”, said Doughterty, a former CNN correspondent who’s now a research scholar. “Of course we welcome that”. “Unlike what we have in this country”, was Trump’s stunning response.

During the past two years, relations between the U.S. and Russia have degenerated to their worst since the Cold War amid Putin’s support for separatists in Ukraine, Russian accusations of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation encroachment and disagreements over resolving Syria’s civil war.

“They say – and it’s true – that they live in Russian Federation and have never left to live anywhere permanently”, Putin said at his annual press conference, when asked to comment about his daughters’ whereabouts and occupations.

Moscow said its plane was over Syria when it was downed.

White House spokesman Josh Ernest called “nonsense” suggestions that Ankara could shoot down a Russian military aircraft Su-24 in favor of Washington, TASS reports.

“I think that after the Syrian authorities familiarize themselves with the draft resolution, they will also find it suitable”, Putin said.

“I assume President Obama has successfully managed our relationship with Russia in a method that has superior the pursuits of america, whereas additionally standing up for the essential worldwide norms that Russia violated based mostly on their actions alongside and throughout the Ukrainian border”, he stated, referring to Russia’s help for Russian separatists in japanese Ukraine.