Putin’s associates have expressed admiration for Donald Trump on Russian state television, with one acknowledging a strong liking for him while also cautioning that his actions could escalate global tensions towards a nuclear conflict.
The compliments were exchanged during a discussion on the popular program Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, featuring Mosfilm Director General Karen Shakhnazarov and State Duma member Semyon Bagdasarov.
The TV host initiated the praise for Trump but highlighted the unpredictability of the U.S. president, suggesting that the possibility of nuclear escalation cannot be discounted. He stated, “No one can be certain that America will not launch a nuclear attack on Iran.”
“I am fond of him, I greatly admire Trump,” Solovyov remarked to the panel. “He is dismantling NATO. It resembles a severe form of American ‘perestroika’ (restructuring).”
He continued, “He will not cease until he breaks down America, all its allies, and alliances. Trump suddenly realized that weapons are entering Iran from somewhere.”
Solovyov’s remarks followed Bagdasarov’s warning about the political unrest in Israel leading the country into a precarious situation where discussions of a potential nuclear strike on Iran could not be dismissed. “No one can assure it will not occur,” he emphasized.
Solovyov questioned whether the same nuclear risk could extend to the U.S. under Trump, reiterating his fondness for the president. On the other hand, Bagdasarov took a harsher stance, labeling Trump as a “madman” and questioning his thought process, while suggesting that Israel was more prone to escalating towards nuclear measures than any other nation.
In a previous instance, Soloyov had forewarned about a catastrophic nuclear conflict triggered by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, stating, “Given the current situation in America, it is evident that nuclear arms will be deployed.”
“The scariest scenario is Trump resorting to nuclear weapons and realizing it is not a panacea,” he added. “Iran’s size as a nation is such that no matter the type of nuclear arms used… Iran would retaliate, breaking the final restraint.”
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