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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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Russian foreign minister proposes expelling US diplomats

Sergey Lavrov talking about the sanctions on Russian state TV. Credit: RTV

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has proposed a tit-for-tat move against the US, after it sanctioned Russia over what he says are baseless accusations of interference in the US elections.

Lavrov has proposed that President Vladimir Putin expel 31 employees of the US embassy in Moscow and four diplomats from the US consulate in St Petersburg.

He also suggested that Putin bar US diplomats from using their summer retreat and a warehouse in Moscow.

Yesterday US administration without presenting any evidence or proof, announced the new wave of sanctions against the Russian Federation.

We cannot leave such steps unanswered, reciprocity is a law of diplomacy and international affairs, therefore Russian foreign ministry together with our colleagues from other agencies, proposed the president of the Russian Federation to declare 31 staff members of the US embassy in Moscow and four diplomats from the US Consulate General in St Petersburg persona non grata.

Besides we offered to ban Americans from using their country house in Serebryany Bor and a warehouse on Dorozhnaya street.

– Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

The call comes after President Obama imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over their alleged involvement in hacking US political groups in the run-up to the election.

He also ordered 35 Russian diplomats to leave the US within 72 hours, and closed two facilities used by the Russians.

A Kremlin spokesperson said that it is up to President Putin to draft any retaliatory measures.

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

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