Trump Calls Putin And Xi “Strong Leaders”; Says US Must Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing

US President Donald Trump showered praise on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a CBS "60 Minutes" interview aired on November 2, 2025, describing both as "very strong leaders" who are "tough" and "smart" and cannot be trifled with when asked who is harder to negotiate with. Trump, emphasising the gravity of dealing with such figures, stated, "These are people not to be toyed with. These are people you have to take very seriously. They're not walking in saying, 'Oh, isn't it a beautiful day?' These are serious people." The remarks, delivered amid ongoing global tensions, highlighted Trump's admiration for their leadership styles while underscoring his administration's approach to diplomacy, which he credits for restoring America's respect on the world stage. This candid assessment comes just days after his face-to-face meeting with Xi at the APEC summit in South Korea, signalling a blend of rivalry and potential collaboration in superpower relations.

Trump also revisited his foreign policy achievements, claiming he halted eight wars within his first nine months in office, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the sole unresolved exception—one he predicted would soon end due to his "very good relationship" with Putin. "Before the ninth month, I stopped eight wars. "The only one I haven't been successful in yet, and that'll happen, is Russia-Ukraine," he told interviewer Scott Pelley, attributing the ceasefires partly to trade pressures and renewed US leverage. Critics have contested the "eight wars" tally, pointing to ongoing hostilities in places like Yemen and Syria, but Trump framed his record as a testament to assertive negotiation, contrasting it with what he called previous administrations' weaknesses. The Ukraine comment revives speculation about potential US policy shifts, including withheld long-range missiles, as Trump balances support for Kyiv with de-escalation overtures to Moscow.

On the nuclear front, Trump confirmed direct discussions on denuclearisation with both Putin and Xi, advocating for global reductions amid escalating arsenals. "I believe we need to do something about denuclearisation, and I have indeed discussed it with both President Putin and President Xi," he asserted, noting the US's overwhelming stockpile—enough to "blow up the world 150 times"—while warning of China's rapid buildup potentially rivalling America within five years. This builds on his recent executive order resuming US nuclear testing, the first since 1992, which he justified by alleging covert tests by Russia, China, and North Korea. Dismissing clarifications that Moscow's activities involve delivery systems only, Trump insisted, "They are not talking about it," positioning the move as essential for deterrence in a multipolar arms race.

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The interview, Trump's first major sit-down since his inauguration, arrives against a backdrop of heightened US-Russia-China frictions, including accusations of Chinese cyber intrusions and Russian nuclear sabre-rattling in Ukraine. Arms control experts view his denuclearisation push as a potential olive branch, echoing past treaties like New START, though sceptics question its feasibility without verifiable commitments. Trump's portrayal of Putin and Xi as formidable equals—rather than adversaries—suggests a pragmatic realpolitik, prioritising deal-making over confrontation, even as domestic debates rage over testing's environmental and proliferation risks.

As the administration navigates a second term, these disclosures could foreshadow intensified trilateral talks, possibly at upcoming summits. With Russia's gold reserves doubling to $282 billion amid sanctions and China's rare earth dominance as leverage points, Trump's blend of flattery and firmness aims to extract concessions on trade, tech, and security. Yet, as he told Pelley, success hinges on mutual respect: "We get along very well, and I think we can be bigger, better, and stronger by working with them." In a volatile geopolitical landscape, the interview reaffirms Trump's unorthodox style—bold claims laced with optimism—potentially reshaping nuclear diplomacy for years to come.

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