Trump praises Putin for his move into Ukraine, calling it 'genius'


A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Former President Donald Trump is giving Russian President Vladimir Putin two thumbs up for his decision to recognize two breakaway regions of Ukraine and send troops to the areas.
While Putin's actions have received sharp criticism and sanctions from President Biden, Trump was full of praise for the Russian leader. During an interview on the conservative Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Trump said it was "wonderful," "so smart," and even "genius" for Putin to "declare a big portion of the Ukraine ... as independent." He claimed Putin will now "go in" and "be a peacekeeper." While Putin has said he's sending troops to the breakaway regions as part of a "peacekeeping" mission, Western leaders say he is merely making it easier for Russia to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trump also declared that Putin has "the strongest peace force I've ever seen," with "more army tanks than I've ever seen," and "we could use that on our southern border." Putin is "savvy," Trump continued, before complimenting himself by stating the Russia-Ukraine crisis "would have never happened" if he was still president.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His comments were brushed off by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. "As a matter of policy, we try not to take advice from anyone who praises President Putin and his military strategy, which I believe is what happened there," Psaki told reporters on Tuesday. "And that's probably why President Biden and not his predecessor was able to rally the world and the global community and taking steps against Russia's aggression."
Trump also received pushback from Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who tweeted that his "adulation of Putin today — calling him a 'genius' — aids our enemies. Trump's interests don't seem to align with the interests of the United States of America."
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Will the US keep aiding Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Republicans give Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'cold shoulder' in D.C.
By Joel Mathis Published
-
Is it time to end the China trade war?
Talking Point The U.S. aims to dial down China trade tensions after years of tit-for-tat tariffs and bans on advanced technology sales
By Harold Maass Published
-
Priced out
Cartoons
By The Week Staff Published
-
Corruption in Kyiv: how Zelenskyy is taking on Ukraine's other big enemy
The Explainer Ukranian president has purged his Ministry of Defence as Kyiv looks to shore up support in the West
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Could a US government shutdown harm Ukrainian war efforts?
Talking Point What could the effects of diminished American aid to Ukraine be?
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Should cognitive testing be a presidential prerequisite?
Today's Big Question A growing chorus of pundits and candidates are pushing mental fitness challenges as a campaign necessity
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Disunited nations: has the UN lost its relevance?
Missing figures at UN General Assembly lead to broad questions about the organisation's credibility
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
Azerbaijan attacks disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, breaking cease-fire
The 'local anti-terrorist' strikes in the ethnic Armenian enclave threaten to reignite a war with implications for Russia, Turkey and the West
By Peter Weber Published
-
Trump's rhetoric rankles the anti-abortion movement
Why Trump's latest comments "may be the single biggest issue that leads him to lose in 2024"
By Joel Mathis Published
-
Donald Trump's Rosh Hashanah message to 'liberal Jews' reignites antisemitism debate
Was targeting his critics who 'voted to destroy America & Israel' the right way to mark the High Holidays?
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Russia and Ukraine face off in The Hague over genocide case
Kyiv is hoping court will rule Russia's actions illegal but Moscow wants the case dismissed
By Rebekah Evans Published