YES
It happens to be true, especially relative to the present occupant of the White House.
NO
Putin is fallible and has overestimated Ukrainian resistance. Trump’s comments did not age well.
Former President Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin “very savvy” for recognizing two breakaway “republics” in eastern Ukraine as independent. This was before Putin invaded Ukraine. Later, at CPAC, Trump again called the Russian leader “very smart,” adding “the real problem is that our leaders are dumb,” he said, adding that Putin “is playing Biden like a drum, and it’s not a pretty thing to watch.”
