Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President-elect Donald Trump as "intelligent" on Thursday, congratulating him for winning the election.

Speaking at a security summit in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the Biden administration’s increased support for Ukraine and suggested president-elect Trump is “still an intelligent person” who will find a solution to the crisis.

Donald Trump may be more likely to get a peace deal from Russia if he places Ukraine in a position of strength, according to analysts. The President-elect has said his priority is to end the war in Ukraine and stop what he believes is a drain on US military resources.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser and retired lieutenant general in the US military, to be special envoy to Ukraine and Russia in his second administration. Kellogg is likely to be at the centre of negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, should Russia and Ukraine agree to take part.

Donald Trump picked retired General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, choosing a longtime adviser who’s supported the president-elect’s aims to end the war swiftly, including by potentially cutting off military aid to Kyiv.