Putin hails Trump as 'light at the end of the tunnel' to repair ties amid peace efforts

SAROV, RUSSIA: Just a week after the Alaska summit on the Russia-Ukraine peace effort, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised US President Donald Trump, expressing renewed optimism about restoring ties with Washington.

Speaking on Friday, August 22, during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry, Putin said there was now a “light at the end of the tunnel” with Trump back in power, even as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate.

Putin acknowledges US-Russia relations are at an 'extremely low level'

During his visit to Sarov in the Volga region of Nizhny-Novgorod, Vladimir Putin openly acknowledged that relations between Russia and the United States have plunged to their lowest point in years.

The Russian president said while speaking to nuclear industry workers in a televised address, “As for our relations with the United States, they are at an extremely low level. I have said this many times. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel now that President (Donald) Trump has come to power.”

Sarov, known as the birthplace of the Soviet atomic program, served as a symbolic backdrop for Putin’s remarks. He highlighted how ties between Moscow and Washington have sharply deteriorated due to conflicts over Ukraine, NATO’s eastward expansion, and sanctions imposed on Russia.

Putin also warned that while some Western European countries have relinquished their sovereignty, Russia cannot afford to do the same.

“There are countries that can easily exist without sovereignty. Today, the entire Western Europe has, in fact, no sovereignty. There are also many other countries that are okay about it. However, it’s not for Russia: if Russia loses sovereignty, it will cease to exist in this present form,” he asserted.

Putin’s public praise of Trump followed the US president’s announcement on Friday, setting a two-week deadline to advance peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump declared that within this timeframe, he would decide whether to impose severe sanctions on Russia or take no action at all.

“I'm going to make a decision as to what we do, and it's going to be a very important decision, and that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or do we do nothing and say it's your fight?” he said.

Internet reacts to Putin praising Trump

After Vladimir Putin publicly praised Donald Trump while discussing Russia-US relations, many internet users quickly reacted to the video, sharing sarcastic and critical comments.

One quipped, “Light turned off Tunnel dismantles and bell not going to sound,” while another questioned, “So finally he has someone he feels like he manipulate into getting what he wants? Is that the light as the end of the tunnel for Russia?”

A person asked, “Why would we want good relations with a war criminal?” A Facebook user added, “Yeah, an incoming speeding train light.”

Another offered a witty take on Putin’s words, writing, “The light you're seeing is the sun shining right through his head, from ear to ear.” Joining in the mockery, one user remarked, “He knows well that it is the last innings of Trump."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.