Long before Donald Trump ever ran for office, he had a thing for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Way back in 2007, he told CNN's Larry King: “Look at Putin — what he's doing with Russia — I mean, you know, what's going on over there. I mean this guy has done — whether you like him or don't like him — he's doing a great job in rebuilding the image of Russia and also rebuilding Russia period.” And he's always been pretty clear on specifically what that meant. In his 2011 book called "Time To Get Tough: Making America #1 Again," he wrote:
Putin has big plans for Russia. He wants to edge out its neighbors so that Russia can dominate oil supplies to all of Europe. Putin has also announced his grand vision: the creation of a ‘Eurasian Union’ made up of former Soviet nations that can dominate the region. I respect Putin and the Russians but cannot believe our leader allows them to get away with so much – I am sure that Vladimir Putin is even more surprised than I am. Hats off to the Russians.”
