Trump Praises Putin and Xi as ‘Tough and Smart’ Leaders
US President Donald Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their ‘tough’ and ‘smart’ leadership, highlighting that they are ‘not to be toyed with’. During a CBS ’60 Minutes’ interview, Trump described both leaders as individuals who must be taken seriously, avoiding small talk and preferring direct and strategic engagement.
Trump’s comments came shortly after his previous failed interview with the network, in which he walked out, accusing it of bias. When asked to compare the toughness of Putin and Xi, Trump responded that both are equally difficult to deal with. He emphasized that neither leader is inclined to engage in casual conversations, describing them as serious and strategic figures. Trump also mentioned that both Russia and China possess significant nuclear stockpiles, and he has discussed denubedization with both nations.
On US-China relations, Trump insisted that despite ongoing challenges, he and Xi have a good rapport and that they successfully reached a trade agreement, which he is satisfied with. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for the ‘stupid’ Ukraine conflict, claiming that it would never have occurred under his leadership. Trump further stated that he has resolved eight wars since returning to the White House by leveraging trade, suggesting that a ceasefire for Ukraine could be secured in a few months using similar methods.