You presume Trump has a strategy in mind with regards to Russia. I think it's just as likely he has no intention of actually being president and just likes the

You presume Trump has a strategy in mind with regards to Russia. I think it's just as likely he has no intention of actually being president and just likes the attention he's getting, so he will say whatever he feels like in the moment. He thinks Putin is a macho strongman leader and that's the image he has crafted for himself, so it feels right to praise him and draw parallels.