Trump calls ‘highly respected’ Putin’s comments a ‘great honor’

“It is always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond,” the GOP presidential front-runner told supporters at a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

“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,” he added.

Putin lavished high praise on the billionaire businessman on Thursday during an annual news conference with reporters.

“He is a bright and talented person without any doubt,” the Russian strongman said, adding that Trump is “an outstanding and talented personality.”

Trump has previously said he would get along well with Putin.

“I would get along with him,” Trump said in September. “I would get along with a lot of the world leaders that this country is not getting along with.”

He’s also said Putin does not respect President Obama.