### Putin Hails Trump as "Intelligent and Experienced" Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict

In a recent address from Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded US President-elect Donald Trump as a capable and seasoned politician with the potential to navigate complex issues, even as tensions heighten between Moscow and the West over the ongoing war in Ukraine. Pointedly, Putin criticized outgoing President Joe Biden for exacerbating these tensions by permitting Ukraine to deploy long-range American missiles, specifically ATACMS, against deep targets inside Russia.

When questioned about the implications of Biden’s decision on future US-Russia relations, Putin hinted at the possibility of improved ties once Trump assumes office in January. "The newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution," Putin stated.

Putin’s praise for Trump stands in sharp contrast to his harsh criticism of the Biden administration, which he accused of "escalating" the conflict in Ukraine by enabling Kyiv to target Russian military sites with the ATACMS missiles. Trump, who has vowed to end the war in Ukraine "within 24 hours" without elaborating on his strategy, has been ambiguous about his stance on Ukraine’s victory in the war during his campaign.

In a further sign of his priorities, Trump recently appointed General Keith Kellogg as the special envoy to the warring nations, declaring a vision of “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH” on social media.

Trump’s return to the political stage has not been without its perils. Putin referenced the assassination attempts on Trump during the campaign, noting that Trump was injured in an attack in Pennsylvania in July and faced another in Florida in September. These incidents, according to Putin, show that Trump has overcome considerable obstacles to secure his election victory.

Moreover, Putin criticized what he described as "unfounded judicial procedures" that Trump endured during the campaign, alluding to the Manhattan jury’s decision in June that found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money criminal trial—a conviction that makes Trump the first former US president found guilty of a felony.

Turning to the situation in Ukraine, Putin issued a stern warning about Russia's military capabilities, particularly the Oreshnik missile. This new medium-range ballistic missile, which can carry multiple warheads and a nuclear payload, was recently deployed in an attack on Ukraine’s Dnipro region. Putin did not rule out further use of the Oreshnik against Ukrainian military and industrial targets, including potential strikes on decision-making centers in Kyiv. "We do not exclude the use of Oreshnik,” he declared, ominously suggesting that all options remain on the table.