Nov 3, 2025, 10:28 AM

Putin, Xi tough, smart leaders, not to be toyed with: Trump

Putin, Xi tough, smart leaders, not to be toyed with: Trump

TEHRAN, Nov. 03 (MNA) – United States President Donald Trump has described Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping as “tough, smart leaders" who must be taken seriously. 

In his first interview with CBS News since settling a lawsuit with the network’s parent company earlier this year, Trump appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday night and offered candid views on global leadership and diplomacy.

When asked which of the two was more difficult to deal with, Trump drew no distinction. “Both tough. Both smart. They’re both very strong leaders. These are people not to be toyed with," he said. “They’re serious people, not the type to walk in talking about how nice the weather is."

During the interview, Trump also revisited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, claiming it would never have occurred under his leadership. “That was a war that would’ve never happened if I was president," he said, adding that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had himself acknowledged this. “I inherited a country where Putin thinks he’s winning. Joe Biden was the president when it happened."

RHM/

News ID 238363

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