Russian President Vladimir Putin commended U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday as a “capable and intelligent politician” while expressing concerns for Trump’s safety following two assassination attempts earlier this year.
Speaking from Kazakhstan, Putin offered his thoughts on Trump, the U.S. election campaign, and escalating tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine.
Putin referred to the attacks on Trump as “absolutely uncivilized,” adding, “By the way, in my opinion, he is not safe now.” Highlighting the dangers Trump faces, Putin said, “Unfortunately, in the history of the United States various incidents have happened. I think he (Trump) is intelligent, and I hope he’s cautious and understands this.”
READ: Russia Launches Major Attack On Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure, Causing Widespread Power Outages
Putin also denounced the criticisms directed at Trump’s family during the campaign, calling them “revolting” and suggesting that even “bandits” in Russia wouldn’t stoop to such behavior.
Trump narrowly escaped injury in July during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a rifle bullet grazed his ear after he turned his head. In a separate incident in September, another would-be assassin was arrested after allegedly positioning himself with a rifle at one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida.
Putin signaled his openness to dialogue with the incoming Trump administration but issued a stark warning to the West regarding nuclear escalation in Ukraine. He threatened to use “all means of destruction” if Western nations supply nuclear weapons to Kyiv.
“If the country which we are essentially at war with now becomes a nuclear power, what do we do?” Putin asked. He added that while Ukraine likely cannot produce nuclear weapons, the potential development of a “dirty bomb” remains a concern.
READ: Russian Forces Accused Of Executing Ukrainian POWs Amid Rising War Crimes Reports
The remarks came amid reports that outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has considered providing nuclear weapons to Ukraine. Putin speculated that such moves could either create obstacles for Trump or provide him leverage for policy changes once in office. “Either way, I believe Trump will find the solution,” he said.
Russia has ramped up missile production, with Putin boasting that Moscow’s advanced missile systems outpace NATO’s production by tenfold.
Last week, Russia launched its new “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile against Ukraine, marking the first use of the weapon in the war. Ukrainian officials reported that the missile, traveling at over 8,000 mph, struck Dnipro, underscoring Russia’s evolving military capabilities.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian investigators are analyzing the debris from the missile attack, which represents a significant escalation in the conflict. Despite these developments, Russian forces have yet to target heavily fortified government buildings in Kyiv.
As Trump celebrates Thanksgiving in Mar-a-Lago, he announced a tentative “border deal” with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, though details remain unclear, and Sheinbaum has publicly contradicted some of his claims.
Putin’s statements signal his interest in negotiating with Trump while continuing to assert Russia’s military dominance and readiness to respond to perceived threats.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.