Did Donald Trump just pick up an important endorsement? It's not from the religious right or, Cato or the Heritage Foundation, but from the man who appears to be the most admired world leader by Conservative pundits in America, Vladimir Putin.

CNN:

Donald Trump has said that he would "get along very well" with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The feeling is apparently mutual.

Putin offered high praise for the billionaire businessman-turned-Republican presidential front-runner on Thursday during an annual news conference with reporters.

"He is a bright and talented person without any doubt," Putin said, adding that Trump is "an outstanding and talented personality."

And in remarks closely mirroring Trump's assessment of the campaign, the Russian leader called Trump "the absolute leader of the presidential race," according to the Russian TASS news agency.