MONITORING (SW) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised US President-elect Donald Trump as an “intelligent and experienced” politician capable of finding “solutions,” as tensions between Moscow and the West ramp up over the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters in Kazakhstan, Putin castigated President Joe Biden for creating “additional difficulties” for the incoming Trump administration, after Biden gave Ukraine permission to fire longer-range American missiles, called ATACMS, at targets deep inside Russia.
The Russian president also threatened to strike Ukraine again with a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, called “Oreshnik,” following Moscow’s widespread overnight attack Wednesday targeting critical energy infrastructure facilities, reported CNN.
Asked whether Biden’s decision would impact future relations between Moscow and Washington, Putin suggested things could improve after Trump takes office 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 said.
Putin’s congenial tone is in marked contrast with the Kremlin’s threats against the outgoing Biden administration, which Putin accused of “escalating” the war in Ukraine by allowing Kyiv to fire ATACMS at military targets in Russia.
Putin’s comments come after Trump on Wednesday nominated Gen. Keith Kellogg to be special envoy to the warring countries. “Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Trump wrote on social media, announcing his pick.
Speaking from the sidelines of a security summit in the Kazakh capital Astana, Putin said Trump had overcome a “serious test” to return to the White House, referring to the two assassination attempts against him during the election campaign.
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