US President Donald Trump marked his 79th birthday on Saturday, he got best wishes from two of the world’s most influential figures, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Netanyahu referred to Trump as Israel’s “greatest friend,” wishing him a warm birthday in just hours before Trump was to commandeer a massive military parade in Washington, DC.
Trump went to Truth Social to post that President Putin had phoned him earlier in the day. “President Putin called this morning to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday,” Trump wrote, adding that the call also involved talks of the deteriorating situation with Iran.
The birthday wishes arrive as Trump has been criticized for his increasingly appeasement policy with Russia as tensions ratchet up in Ukraine.
Trump is leveraging the birthday event to display military might, reflecting his campaign theme of defense and global power projection.