In an attack aimed squarely at the Kremlin, the US leader accused Moscow of undermining American attempts to deal with the ongoing crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
In an interview with Reuters this evening, Mr Trump praised the efforts of China for its commitment to upholding sanctions aimed at choking off funds, oil and coal to Kim Jong-un’s regime.
And while he said Beijing could do more to help, he claimed Moscow was doing the opposite.
The President said: “Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea.
“What China is helping us with, Russia is denting. In other words, Russia is making up for some of what China is doing.”
Western European security sources told Reuters in late December Russian tankers had supplied fuel to North Korea on at least three occasions in recent months.
The transfer of cargo reportedly took place at sea, which would be in direct violation of UN sanctions.
Moscow has denied breaching North Korea sanctions.
North Korea is reliant on imported petrol to keeps its fragile economy running, as well as oil for its long-range ballistic missile programme.
A series of crippling UN sanctions – agreed to by the US, Russia and China – have severely reduced the amount of oil the hermit kingdom is allowed to buy in.
Mr Trump went on to say Vladimir Putin “could do a lot” with regards to solving the North Korean issue.
He added: “But unfortunately we don’t have much of a relationship with Russia, and in some cases it’s probable that what China takes back, Russia gives.
“So the net result is not as good as it could be.”