Here are 10 affirmations or positive statements Donald Trump has made about Vladimir Putin over the years, based on public comments and interviews:
1. Trump has repeatedly called Putin "smart" and "savvy," saying, “The smartest one gets to the top… Is Putin smart? Yeah, Putin’s smart”[1].2. He described Putin’s move to recognize breakaway regions in Ukraine as “genius” and “savvy,” stating, “This is genius. Putin declares a big portion of Ukraine as independent”[6][7][9].3. Trump has said, “I think I'd get along very well with Vladimir Putin. I just think so”[3].
4. He claimed, “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia”[2][4].5. Trump has said Putin “liked me” and described him as having “great charm and a lot of pride”[6].
6. He called Putin a “tough cookie” but said he “loves his country”[6].
7. Trump has stated, “You have to give him credit that what he’s doing for that country in terms of their world prestige is very strong”[8].8. He has said, “If Putin wants to knock the hell out of ISIS, I’m all for it 100%”[8].
9. Trump has described it as “better to get along with Russia than not,” and said he “respects” Putin[5].
10. He has said, “I’ve always had a good instinct about Putin… I’ve always had a good feeling about him from the standpoint”[8].
These statements reflect a pattern of Trump publicly praising aspects of Putin’s leadership and strategic moves, though his tone has shifted in recent years as the Ukraine war escalated[2][4].
Citations:
[1] Donald Trump just can't stop praising Vladimir Putin | CNN Politics https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/politics/trump-putin-ukraine-russia-smart
[2] Russia cites "emotional overload" after Trump calls Putin crazy - Axios https://www.axios.com/2025/05/26/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-airstrike-crazy-emotional[3] Timeline: Donald Trump's praise for Vladimir Putin | CNN Politics https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/28/politics/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-quotes
[4] Trump lashes out at Putin, calling him "crazy" - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967TNPP32HE
[5] Trump 'Respects' Putin, but Not Sure They Will Get Along https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-says-respects-putin-but-not-sure-they-will-get-along/3706917.html
[6] 'Genius': Trump breaks silence with stunning Russia statement https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/donald-trump-hails-genius-putin-as-russian-president-appears-in-tv-message/
[7] Trump calls Putin 'genius' and 'savvy' for Ukraine invasion https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/23/trump-putin-ukraine-invasion-00010923
[8] 80 times Trump talked about Putin - CNN.com https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/03/politics/trump-putin-russia-timeline/
[9] Trump praises Putin as 'savvy' amid new escalations on Russia ... https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082478790/trump-praises-putin-as-savvy-amid-new-escalations-on-russia-ukraine-border
[10] Putin’s ‘not doing so well,’ says Trump in unusually critical remarks https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/539629/putin-s-not-doing-so-well-says-trump-in-unusually-critical-remarks
[11] Trump says Putin has 'gone absolutely CRAZY,' considering more ... https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-says-putin-has-gone-absolutely-crazy-considering-more-sanctions-russia-2025-05-26/
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