Putin Praises 'Courageous' Trump, Says Russia is Ready for Dialogue
Putin Praises 'Courageous' Trump, Says Russia is Ready for Dialogue
The Facts
Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated Donald Trump on his re-election, praising him as courageous in the way he responded to an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Speaking at a discussion forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin said: "People show who they are in extraordinary circumstances. This is where a person reveals himself. And he showed himself, in my opinion, in a very correct manner, courageously. Like a man."
The Spin
Preying on Trump's well-documented fondness for flattery, these compliments from Putin are carefully calibrated statements in the hopeshope that he can secure the deal he wants over Ukraine.
As the Russian president said, the country is open to dialogue and is prepared to settle the conflict by peaceful means. However, Russia's goals over security concerns have not changed.
