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Trump praises 'very smart' Putin after decision not to expel US diplomats

Donald Trump has appeared to praise President Vladimir Putin for not expelling US diplomats from Russia.

Hours after Mr Putin said he would not retaliate to Barack Obama's decision to throw 35 Russian officials out of the US over allegations of hacking, Mr Trump tweeted: "Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!"

Putin has said he hopes when President-elect Trump takes office, Moscow and Washington will be able to take "real steps" to improve relations between the two countries.

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Putin hopes Trump signals 'improvement' in relations

The Obama administration has had difficulty wrangling with Putin over the last eight years Credit: PA

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he hopes when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Moscow and Washington will be able to take "real steps" to improve relations between the two countries.

Putin made the comments in a New Year's congratulatory message to Trump, and comes after a tense few days in which the US accused Russian intelligence agencies of being involved in hacking around the US election, and issued further sanctions.

Putin also added that positive developments in relations between Russia and Britain would be mutually beneficial.

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Trump praises 'very smart' Putin after decision not to expel US diplomats

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