In the Reuters report you have to understand the difference in Russian cultural language to appreciate what President Vladimir Putin means when he says, “[Trump] behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man.”
Russians speak in very blunt terms when the behavior of men and women are evaluated. It sounds odd through a politically correct western filter, but Putin was just praising the ‘honesty’ and ‘strength’ of President Trump.
[Example: A Russian woman describing her husband would say to another Russian, “he is my best man.”]

The bottom-line indication from President Putin is that he welcomes the change in geopolitical dynamic that a pragmatic, honest and strong man brings to the table. Putin respects Trump. The baseline for a negotiated peace deal exists.
(Reuters) – SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated Donald Trump on winning the U.S. election, praised him for showing courage when a gunman tried to assassinate him, and said Moscow was ready for dialogue with the Republican president-elect.
In his first public remarks since Trump’s win, Putin said Trump had acted like a real man during an assassination attempt on him while he was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July.
“He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man,” Putin said at the Valdai discussion club in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. “I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election.”
(more…)