Donald Trump praises Russia president Putin for refusing to retaliate against the US after Obama's sanctions

US President-elect Donald Trump has praised Russian President, Vladimir Putin after he ruled retaliating against the US for expelling 35 Russian diplomats and imposing sanctions on two of the country's intelligence agencies over alleged US election hacking claims, on Thursday.

Putin said instead his government would wait to see how relations developed under the incoming government of Donald Trump.

“Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!” Trump Twitted.

Mr Putin had earlier said Russia would not stoop to “irresponsible diplomacy”.