Putin praised Trump. Video

Putin praised the billionaire businessman and presidential candidate from the Republican Party on Thursday during an annual press conference with journalists.

“US presidential candidate Donald Trump is the leader in the race for the post of head of state,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“He is a very bright person, talented, without any doubt. It is not our business to determine his merits, this is the business of US voters, but he is the absolute leader of the presidential race, ”Putin said.

“He says that he wants to move to another level of relations, a denser, deeper level of relations with Russia, how can we not welcome this? Of course, we welcome this, ”the Russian president stressed.

Putin added that Trump's statements about US domestic policy, in particular the turn of speech, “what he uses to increase his popularity,” do not concern Russia. “This is not our business: to evaluate this work of his,” he noted.

The feeling is more or less mutual. Throughout the campaign, Trump often said that they get along well.

While most presidential candidates demonize Putin as a "thug" and focus on isolating Russia, Trump touts his diplomatic skills. He promises to bring America and Russia closer together, stating, that could make friends with Putin.

In October, Trump сообщилthat he and Putin are completely different, but they can improve relations.

“Russia wants to end the Islamic State.” We want to end the Islamic State. So let Russia do it. Let's let them get rid of the Islamic State. What the hell do we have to lose?” Trump said when the United States became concerned about Russia’s presence in Syria and support for the Bashar-Assad regime that Obama is fighting.

During the fourth Republican debate, Trump tried to trump up meeting with Vladimir Putin, which, according to him, took place in the rest room for on-air guests in the film studio of the American television channel CBS, during the recording of the “60 Minutes” program. “We were on 60 Minutes together and it went pretty well,” Trump said.

As it turned out a little later edition Washington examiner, this meeting could not be, because Trump gave an interview in America, and part of the program, in which the Russian president participated, was filmed in Russia.

In any case, Putin may simply be a pawn in the hands of the most pro-Russian candidate in the US elections.

Previously "Forum" писал about the fifth Republican debates, where the main characters were Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

Vladimir Putin 17 December I spent traditional press conference before the New Year. In addition to dozens of questions asked, the journalists asked him a few more acute questions, but received almost no direct answers.