Stop hating Putin! Trump calls for closer ties with Russia as North Korea threat escalates

Mr Trump, who has faced continuing allegations of ties between his presidential campaign and Russia, said Mr Putin could help stop World War 3.

The US President tweeted from Vietnam, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, a meeting promoting trade in the Asia-Pacific area.

During the event, he met Mr Putin and discussed their positions on Syria and North Korea.

He tweeted: “Met with President Putin of Russia who was at APEC meetings. 

“Good discussions on Syria. Hope for his help to solve, along with China the dangerous North Korea crisis. Progress being made.

“When will all the haters and fools out there realise that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing?

“There always playing politics – bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!”

The US President has spent much of his Asia trip trying to attract support for a tougher line on Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.

He also appeared to backtrack on military threats, saying the door was open for talks.

And his enthusiasm to find a solution to the crisis has seen him try to appease Russia, who he sees as key to the region’s future.

On Saturday, he told reporters Mr Putin had been “insulted” by claims he meddled in the US election.

Mr Trump said: “It is now time to get back to healing a world that is shattered and broken.

“Having Russia in a friendly posture, as opposed to always fighting with them, is an asset to the world and an asset to our country, not a liability.

“It is very important to be able to get along with Russia, to get along with China.

“Russia and China in particular can help us with the North Korea problem, which is one of our truly great problems.” 

During his visit, Mr Trump sparked controversy by saying a report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence which stated Mr Putin had orchestrated a campaign to influence the election was an “artificial Democratic hit job”.

But ex-CIA chief John Brennan hit back, saying the Russian premier had taken advantage of Mr Trump’s weaknesses.

He told CNN: “Mr Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr Trump’s interest in being flattered.

“The Russians do not harbour good intentions towards the United States and there shouldn’t be any illusions or any ambiguity about that.