Very shrewd. Very capable. I have enormous respect for him. I've been criticized for saying that. No, I have enormous respect for him. He was also an interlocutor that was always well informed and deeply clear about what Russian interests for. I appreciated that. It required the same from us, for me, from my team.

We had to be equally prepared and equally protective of the interest that matter to the United

States. He is very savvy, very shrewd. I never saw, that's not quite true. When I think about

some of the things they do in the diplomatic space and some of

the things they do in this space where they go off people, I think that's counterproductive.

I shared that with him, very direct. I said, I don't, you're trying to find a way to connect with

this. I think those things just make it really hard for Western leaders to engage with you

because it lights up all the human rights issues and the like. I just don't think there's much game in it.

And, you know, he would smile at me with the look that reminded me that's a tough world out there.

And no, I consider him a elegantly sophisticated counterpart and one who is not reckless, but has always done the math.

And we may disagree with his priorities.

We may disagree with his math.

We certainly disagree that the interest that he seeks are reasonable for his country,

in many cases.

But we should never underestimate that he is doing this in a way where he's exhibiting his capacity to control and his deep desire

that he is most important objective. And I should have listed this first. His most important

objective is that he continues to run the deal. First and foremost, he is about power for himself,

making sure that his place as the leader of Russia continues.

That was former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo late last week,

offering praise for Vladimir Putin.

And it was a message.

His former boss, Donald Trump, echoed yesterday, if you can imagine.

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