US President Donald Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping as “very strong leaders,” describing them as “tough,” “smart,” and “not to be toyed with.” The remarks were made during a “60 Minutes” interview on CBS, where Trump emphasized the seriousness of both leaders.
When asked which leader was harder to deal with, Trump stated, “Both. Both tough. Both smart. These are people not to be toyed with.” He added that neither Putin nor Xi engages in casual conversation, noting they prioritize serious negotiations over small talk.
Trump also highlighted discussions on nuclear denuclearization with both nations and defended his trade policies with China, claiming a resolved trade deal secured significant financial benefits for the US. Regarding Ukraine, he criticized former President Joe Biden, asserting that the conflict “would’ve never happened” under his leadership. Trump claimed Putin acknowledged this stance and expressed confidence in using trade leverage to achieve a ceasefire “in a couple of months.”
