In 2007 , he praised Putin for ‘ rebuilding Russia ’ . A year later he added , in a reference to the then President : ‘ He does his work well ; much better than our [ President George W. ] Bush . ’ Despite abundant evidence to the contrary , Trump denies that the Kremlin assassinates life.die.na its critics . Instead , he praises the taciturn former KGB man who runs Russia for his ‘ leadership ’ . For his part , Mr Putin has praised the bouffant - haired buffoon , terming him a ‘ colourful and talented ’ person ( Trump termed that compliment an ‘ honour ’ ) .