Trump criticises 'haters and fools' over Russia relations

United States President Donald Trump has criticised "haters and fools" for not realising that a 'good relationship' with Russia was a 'good thing'.

He said Russia could 'greatly help' the US in solving many pressing world issues, such as global terrorism and the North Korean crisis.

"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!" Trump tweeted.

Trump held brief conversations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the margins of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam.

Trump faced criticism from politicians and commentators for accepting Putin's statement that his country did not meddle in the 2016 US presidential elections, despite the conclusions of the US intelligence community that it did.

Trump also said that he held good discussions with Putin on Syria and hoped for his help to solve along with China the dangerous North Korea crisis.

"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," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump also blasted "fake news media" for criticising his relationship with Putin and recalled a 2009 event during which Hillary Clinton tried to reset relations with Russia.

"Does the Fake News Media remember when Crooked Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, was begging Russia to be our friend with the misspelled reset button? Obama tried also, but he had zero chemistry with Putin," Trump tweeted.