George W. Bush on Putin

George W. Bush initially established a rapport with Vladimir Putin, famously stating after their first meeting in June 2001 that he looked the man in the eye and found him "very straightforward and trustworthy," adding that he was able to "get a sense of his soul." This personal connection was significantly reinforced after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, where Putin was the first foreign leader to offer support, leading Bush to describe their relationship as an "alliance" against terrorism. During this early phase, the two presidents found common ground on issues like counterterrorism, intelligence sharing related to Afghanistan, and nuclear security, though disagreements persisted over issues like missile defense treaties and NATO expansion.

However, the relationship deteriorated, particularly leading up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, where Putin voiced opposition based on international law, despite agreeing not to actively sabotage U.S. efforts. Post-presidency, Bush has become a vocal critic of Putin's subsequent actions, particularly regarding Russian aggression, stating unequivocally that Russia is the enemy and that Ukraine and Ukrainians are friends and allies. This later stance contrasts sharply with the early partnership, illustrating an evolution from personal affinity and strategic cooperation to viewing the Russian leader through a lens of fundamental geopolitical opposition.