Putin: “America Is the Only Superpower, We Accept That”

By Jacob Bojesson

Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks the U.S. is the world’s only superpower.

Putin commented on the state of the U.S.-Russian relationship after disagreements on the wars in Syria and Ukraine at the Russian Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. The Russian president welcomes closer relations with the U.S. moving forward.

“America is a great power, today probably the only superpower,” he said. “We accept that. We want to, and are ready to work with the United States.”

Putin said he would work with any of the U.S. presidential candidates, but dodged questions about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (RELATED: Here’s Who World Leaders Want As The Next US President)

Putin made headlines when called presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump “a leader in the presidential race” and described him as “flamboyant.” Putin downplayed the alleged endorsement, but stood by his description of Trump as a flamboyant man.

“He is isn’t he?” Putin said. “I did not give any other assessment.”

Trump responded to Putin’s praise in December by saying it’s “always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond.”

“I have always felt that Russia and the United States should be able to work well with each other towards defeating terrorism and restoring world peace, not to mention trade and all of the other benefits derived from mutual respect,” Trump said in December.

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