Special Poll
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described President-elect Donald Trump as “intelligent” and “experienced” but expressed concerns about his safety following two assassination attempts earlier this year. Speaking at a summit in Kazakhstan, Putin said he believes Trump’s leadership could bring a new direction to U.S.-Russia relations when he returns to the White House in January.
“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 remarked, according to reports. The comments come as tensions remain high between Moscow and the Biden administration, particularly over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the U.S. decision to provide long-range missiles to Kyiv.
Trump, during his campaign, pledged to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours but has not elaborated on his strategy. His friendly tone toward Putin, including calling him a “genius” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has drawn scrutiny, yet the two leaders have maintained contact since Trump left office in 2021.
Putin’s remarks also touched on the assassination attempts against Trump. In July, the president-elect was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, an incident that left one attendee dead and two others injured before authorities killed the attacker. In September, another attempt was thwarted while Trump was golfing in Florida, with the suspect later arrested.
Putin noted his surprise at the “uncivilized methods” used against Trump, calling the attacks and political criticism of his family “revolting.” He added, “In my opinion, he is not safe now. Unfortunately, in U.S. history, such incidents have happened before. I think he’s intelligent and cautious enough to understand this.”
Despite his concerns, Putin expressed optimism about future discussions with Trump, congratulating him on his recent election victory and signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue once he assumes office.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate. This week, a Russian strike on energy infrastructure in western Ukraine left over a million people without power, heightening tensions ahead of Trump’s return to office. Putin’s comments suggest he sees a potential for improved relations with the incoming administration, but significant challenges remain on the global stage.