What is your alternative? Shoot down Russian planes? Start WW III with Russia? Has Russia sent any terrorists on US soil to kill Americans? Whatever happened to the meme that Trump is a hot-head and will not get along with leaders of super-powers?
What is your alternative? Shoot down Russian planes? Start WW III with Russia?
LOL. You set up your strawmen and then you knock them down.
It really shouldn't be controversial with all Putin has done, that he should not be respected.
Now if I was president, I would keep the praise in check and I would simply say something like, "I look forward to working with Putin on our mutual interests."