Putin Walks Back Trump Praise, Says U.S. Is the Only Superpower

[GennGreymane]

http://time.com/4374078/vladimir-put...lflow_facebook

"America is a great power — today probably the only superpower"

Russian President Vladimir Putin walked back some of his previous praise for U.S. presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump on Friday at a forum, where he also called the U.S. the world’s only superpower.

“America is a great power — today probably the only superpower. We accept that,” Putin said in Russian at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, according to a translation by Reuters. “We want to and are ready to work with the United States.”

Asked about previous comments in which he complimented Trump, Putin said they were misinterpreted, saying he had only ever called Trump “flamboyant,” Reuters reported.

“He is, isn’t he?” Putin said Friday, smiling and prompting applause from the audience. “I did not give any other assessment of him.”

Putin made the comments in Russian during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. The full interview will air Sunday on the network.

CNN translated Putin’s remarks as: “I only said he was a bright person. Isn’t he bright?”

In December, Putin called Trump “flamboyant,” “talented,” and an “absolute leader in the presidential race.” Trump has returned the compliments, saying he would get along “very well” with Putin.

Putin also said Friday that he welcomes Trump’s plan to restore U.S.-Russia relations. While he said he had not worked with presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton personally, he said he appreciated “warm relations” he had with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, according to Reuters.

[xChurch]

I guess for everyone Trump eventually goes from funny to scary.

[TheramoreIsTheBomb]

Now its time to claim a one world government once and for all. Merge Russia, the US, China, Europe, Brazil, Australia into one huge country.

[Azadina]

Now its time to claim a one world government once and for all. Merge Russia, the US, China, Europe, Brazil, Australia into one huge country.

No thanks. Europe doesn't need:

1. US stance on guns, healthcare, education and politics.
2. Russias homophobia and government level corruption.
3. Chinas stance with human rights in general.

[iceberg265]

No thanks. Europe doesn't need:

1. US stance on guns, healthcare, education and politics.

The US doesn't need or want the US' stance on those things either, but unfortunately special interests have bought all our politicians and the media.

[Zyster]

Now its time to claim a one world government once and for all. Merge Russia, the US, China, Europe, Brazil, Australia into one huge country.

Can we leave Australia out? They have too many creepy crawly thingies.

[dextersmith]

He knows a business man can be easily bought.

[Orange Joe]

didn't we already have this thread? I'm 99% sure someone posted this already.

[Dhrizzle]

No thanks. Europe doesn't need:

1. US stance on guns, healthcare, education and politics.
2. Russias homophobia and government level corruption.
3. Chinas stance with human rights in general.

Obviously those should be European exports.

[Sama-81]

While I have no love for Putin, he would literally toy with Trump if he became president, and he knows it. It's no wonder he's 'supporting' Trump.

[Ausr]

In before the Putinistas arrive to defend Mother Russia.

While I have no love for Putin, he would literally toy with Trump if he became president, and he knows it. It's no wonder he's 'supporting' Trump.

Trump is quite easily predictable so he'd have no problem fucking around with him.

[Ghostpanther]

While I have no love for Putin, he would literally toy with Trump if he became president, and he knows it. It's no wonder he's 'supporting' Trump.

But if he accepts the opponents view of Trump as a dangerous person to have the nuclear codes, I do not think he would toy with him. :P So he ether thinks Trump is not that dangerous or he thinks maybe he can win the election and he wants to start with a more positive relationship with him.

[Aquinan]

No thanks. Europe doesn't need:

1. US stance on guns, healthcare, education and politics.
2. Russias homophobia and government level corruption.
3. Chinas stance with human rights in general.

Everyone wants Aussies though

Can we leave Australia out? They have too many creepy crawly thingies.

It's not like we would export those : /

[Azadina]

Everyone wants Aussies though

Just not the creepy things as someone mentioned

[Sama-81]

But if he accepts the opponents view of Trump as a dangerous person to have the nuclear codes, I do not think he would toy with him. :P So he ether thinks Trump is not that dangerous or he thinks maybe he can win the election and he wants to start with a more positive relationship with him.

I'm betting that Putin doesn't think he's particularly dangerous at all, no. Trump wouldn't use those codes lightly, not even he is that retarded. It simply couldn't end in any other way than badly, quite badly indeed, particularly since Putin is far too clever to give him a good situation to do so in the first place. No, I think Putin would like Trump to win, since Putin is the clearly superior politcal chess player of the two, and likely to do much better in matters such as trade deals to boot. Hillary would be a tougher nut to crack for him, not least due to her political experience.

[Kalmakk]

Just not the creepy things as someone mentioned

We use spiders as legal tender, enjoy your spiders.

[Deleted]

I always imagine Putin acting like Petrov from House of Cards.

[Celista]

I always imagine Putin acting like Petrov from House of Cards.

Clearly he is who the character is based on.

Claire and Frank are based on the Clintons.

[purebalance]

No thanks. Europe doesn't need:

1. US stance on guns, healthcare, education and politics.
2. Russias homophobia and government level corruption.
3. Chinas stance with human rights in general.

Thanks, but the US, Russia, and China don't need to be overrun by refugees who practically commit crimes without punishment like Europe.

[Glnger]

The US doesn't need or want the US' stance on those things either, but unfortunately special interests have bought all our politicians and the media.

this+10/char