Former US President Donald Trump, speaking to supporters in Iowa, called Russian and Chinese leaders Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping very smart people.
The corresponding broadcast was carried by Fox News TV channel, TASS reports.
“The media hates it when I say they’re smart, but let me tell you they’re very smart and very sneaky,” Trump said.
Earlier, Trump quoted Putin as saying he was a threat to US democracy.
Later, US President Joe Biden condemned Trump for his “admiration for Putin”.