VLADIMIR PUTIN has ruled out expelling US diplomats in the wake of fresh US sanctions and the ordered expulsion of 35 Russians in retaliation for alleged Russian cyber-meddling in the American election.
The diplomatic showdown between Washington and Moscow, which had been festering even before the November 8 presidential election, puts pressure on Donald Trump not to let Russia off the hook after he takes office on January 20.
However, Trump appeared to side with Putin over current US president Barack Obama, after praising the Russian leader for his handling of the spat.
The US president-elect has also said America should move on – but in a sign he is no longer totally brushing off allegations, he plans to meet US intelligence leaders next week to learn more.
Putin's statement came hours after foreign minister Sergey Lavrov suggested a tit-for-tat expulsion of American diplomats.
US president Barack Obama ordered sanctions against the GRU and FSB, leading Russian intelligence agencies the US said were involved in the hacking.
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