Trump praises Putin as Genius and tough cookie
Trump praises 'tough cookie' Putin
Former US president Donald Trump has claimed that Russian aggression against Ukraine would never have happened if he were still in power.
Describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "genius" and a "tough cookie", he said: "Putin declares a big portion of Ukraine as independent. That's wonderful. How smart is that? This is genius.
"I knew Putin very well. I got along with him great. He's got a lot of great charm and a lot of pride. He loves his country."
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Speaking to The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, he said he used to talk to Mr Putin about Russia's ambitions to invade Ukraine.
"I used to talk to him about it. I said, 'You can't do it. You're not gonna do it'. But I could see that he wanted it," he said.
The 75-year-old also hit out at current US President Joe Biden, accusing him of being "weak" in his response to Russia.
"I know Vladimir Putin very well, and he would have never done, during the Trump administration, what he is doing now, no way!" he said.
He added: "If properly handled, there was absolutely no reason that the situation currently happening in Ukraine should have happened at all."