Putin Praises Trump as ‘Clever’ Businessman

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday, characterizing him as a “clever” businessman. “Trump was an entrepreneur and a businessman. He was already a statesman, he is the head of the United States of America, one of the world’s leading countries,” Putin said in an interview with NTV TV. “Because he achieved success in business, it suggests that he is a clever man. And if (he is) a clever man, then he will fully and quite quickly understand another level of responsibility.” Putin and Trump have been complimentary toward each other over the past year, with Trump saying Putin is a better leader for Russia than Barack Obama is for the United States.