Praising Putin, even sarcastically, gains what exactly?
I think a simple comment saying he is happy for the hostages and their families. Does he need to tell our enemies that the door is wide open to seize Americans, for the USA will certainly make it worth your wile. Hell no!
What he should be talking about is with him in office, enemy states will be reluctant to gain his ire by seizing our people. You do not want Donald Trump as an enemy by taking Americans.
That would endear American voters to him for appearing to be strong, which he is versus the lame weak Biden/Harris Idiocracy.