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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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Russia's prime minister: Obama acting 'regrettably'

Russia's Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin. Credit: AP

Russia's Prime Minister has said it is "regrettable" that the Obama administration is ending its term in office "in an anti-Russian agony".

Dimitry Medvedev's comments came after the US expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the country and gave them 72 hours to leave.

Two Russian compounds in New York and Maryland have also been closed down and individuals sanctioned in response to alleged cyber hacking of the US election and harassment of American diplomats in Moscow.

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

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