SOCHI, October 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that US President Donald Trump is worthy of respect and regrets that disrespect for his US counterpart is shown in the United States.
In response to a question by a participant in the Valdai International Discussion Club about which advice he could give Trump, Putin said he considered this question’s formulation as incorrect.
"Mr. Trump was elected by the American people. And at least for this reason it is necessary to show respect for him, even if you do not agree with some of his positions," the Russian leader said.
"Inside the country, disrespect is shown for him. This is a regrettable negative component of the US political system," Putin said.
In Putin’s opinion, "one can argue but one can’t show disrespect, even not for him personally but for those people who voted for him."
"I believe that the president of the United States does not need any advice because one has to possess certain talent and go through this trial to be elected, even without having the experience of such big administrative work. He [Trump] has done this," the Russian leader said.
"He won honestly," Putin added.
Great domestic resistance reason for Trump’s unpredictability
Trump has been facing great domestic resistance, which is the reason for his unpredictability, but Moscow will work with him despite all difficulties, Putin said.
"We are now working with a president elected by the American people," Putin said. "His unpredictability is not only based on his nature, another reason for it is the great domestic resistance, as they actually prevent him from implementing any of his electoral initiatives," the Russian leader noted. "So it is not right to say that unpredictability is in his nature - it depends on the US political system," Putin said.
At the same time, Putin stressed that Russia would all the same "work with the US counterparts that we have." "The United States is the biggest global economic and military power. Unfortunately, our trade is insignificant, but all the same, the US influence in the world is very important, the country is definitely one of our most important partners. We will work with them against all the odds, despite all difficulties, provided that they are willing to do the same. If they are not, then we will not do that," the Russian leader said.
At the same time, when asked if cooperation with the US would be more clear had Hillary Clinton won the presidential election, Putin pointed out that "we don’t know what it would have been like."