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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday commended U.S. President Donald Trump for working to resolve long-standing global conflicts, even as the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded its peace prize to a Venezuelan opposition leader over Trump.
Speaking at a press conference concluding a three-day visit to Tajikistan, Putin criticized the Nobel Committee's decision-making history, saying past awards to individuals "who have done nothing for peace" have inflicted "enormous damage" to the prize's credibility. He said the committee has lost its "authority" and questioned whether Trump deserved the honor.
"But he really does a lot to resolve such complex crises that lasted for years, even decades," Putin said, pointing to the Middle East as the "most striking example." He called Trump's new 20-point plan for the Gaza Strip potentially a "historic event" if implemented.
The Russian leader also said Trump is "sincerely striving" to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
The Nobel Committee on Friday awarded the 2025 peace prize to Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader recognized "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela." Trump had publicly campaigned for the award.
The White House responded with sharp criticism. Spokesman Steven Cheung accused the Nobel Committee of placing "politics over peace."
Trump thanked Putin on his Truth Social platform, writing: "Thank you to President Putin!" He shared video footage of the Russian president's remarks.
Russia and Venezuela maintain close diplomatic ties.
Putin dismissed suggestions of a crisis in Russian-Azerbaijani relations, citing continued growth in bilateral trade despite tensions.
"If this were a crisis in interstate relations, we wouldn't have seen growth in trade and economic ties," Putin said. He acknowledged a "crisis of emotions" stemming from last year's deadly Azerbaijan Airlines crash that killed 38 of 67 people aboard.
Putin described the December crash in Kazakhstan as a "tragic event" and said the investigation is nearing completion. He discussed the matter with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday.
"I sincerely hope that we have turned this page, will move forward, and will, without any complications, develop our contacts and implement those big, truly big plans that both countries have in logistics, industrial cooperation, and, by the way, in the humanitarian sphere as well," Putin said.
Relations deteriorated after the crash occurred in Russian airspace. Aliyev subsequently accused Russia of unintentionally shooting down the plane and demanded Moscow accept responsibility, punish those responsible and provide compensation. During their Dushanbe meeting Thursday, Putin pledged Russia would fulfill all necessary obligations "in terms of compensation."
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On nuclear arms control, Putin said sufficient time remains to extend the New START Treaty before its February expiration, contingent on American "goodwill." He confirmed ongoing discussions between the Russian Foreign Ministry and U.S. State Department but characterized the treaty's fate as "not critical" for Moscow if Washington decides "they don't need it."
Putin said Russia would respond to any U.S. transfer of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine by strengthening its air defense systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that he and Trump discussed potential transfers of Tomahawk missiles, HIMARS and ATACMS during a New York meeting.
"We talked with President Trump during our last meeting in New York. We talked not only about Tomahawk (missiles). We talked about HIMARS, and I mentioned ATACMS. In fact, when you have, for example, 40, 50 or 60 ATACMS between us, it's nothing," Zelenskyy said at a briefing.
Addressing the potential for an August summit with Trump in Alaska, Putin said both nations understand how to resolve the Ukraine conflict peacefully but stressed its complexity.
He hinted that Russia may soon announce "new weapons we once announced," saying development and testing are proceeding successfully, though he provided no details.
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