Putin jokes Trump 'educated' Zelensky on manners and Rambo-like attire

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his take on past interactions between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting Trump "educated" Zelensky on proper conduct and dress code. Putin's remarks came during his appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

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We all saw how Donald (Trump), in front of the whole world, educated the author of the letter (from Zelensky to Putin) and reprimanded him for his dress code.

"We all saw how Donald (Trump), in front of the whole world, educated the author of the letter (from Zelensky to Putin) and reprimanded him for his dress code," Putin stated, referencing a previous meeting where Trump reportedly criticized Zelensky for not wearing a suit. Putin added that projecting a "Rambo: First Blood" image might be suitable in some contexts, but not universally.

Putin expressed gratitude for Trump's "work" on Zelensky's manners, noting that while it was "useful," there is "still much to be done." He suggested that relations with Trump are based on mutual respect. Despite Trump's current distance from mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Putin continued to praise his personality.

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Projecting constantly 'Rambo: First Blood' may be appropriate in some places, but certainly not in all.

The Russian president also echoed some of Trump's long-standing claims, including allegations of fraud in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Putin reiterated his belief that had Trump remained in office, the war in Ukraine would not have started two years later.

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As for good manners, I would like to thank Donald for his work. It is certainly useful, but there is still much to be done. We must continue.

However, the article notes a differing perspective from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the same forum. Lavrov responded to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statements about the U.S. supporting Ukraine by asserting that "(Joe) Biden's war has become Trump's war."

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Relations with Trump are based on mutual respect.