TRUMP PRAISES PUTIN FOR MOVE ON ENVOYS

US president-elect says he always knew Putin was smart

Washington, Dec. 31: Calling Vladimir Putin “very smart”, US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday praised the Russian President for not retaliating immediately to Washington’s punitive measures imposed on Moscow over alleged interference in the November polls.

“Great move on delay (by V. Putin) — I always knew he was very smart!,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump’s move siding with Mr Putin over President Barack Obama was seen as a dramatic departure from typical diplomatic practice.

Mr Obama on Friday sanctioned Russia and expelled 35 of its agents over alleged Russian hacking during the US presidential polls, but Mr Putin surprisingly refused to retaliate, saying he will watch the moves of Mr Trump, who will assume charge on January 20.

“All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions,” Obama said in a statement as he ordered a number of actions in response to the Russia's alleged aggressive harassment of US officials and cyber operations targeting the US election.

The executive order issued by Mr Obama provided additional authority for responding to certain cyber activity that seeks to interfere with or undermine US election processes and institutions, or those of its allies or partners.

In Moscow, Mr Putin in response to Mr Obama’s sanctions said Russia “will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not expel anyone”.

The Russian President also extended an invitation to “all children of US diplomats in Russia... to the New Year’s and Christmas party in the Kremlin.” — PTI