US President Donald Trump has hit back at people who criticized him for congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election victory, saying “getting along with Russia is a good thing.”

Trump made the comments on Twitter on Wednesday, hitting back at media coverage of his phone call with Putin in the aftermath of the Russian election result. The US leader noted that his predecessor Barack Obama had also called Putin, after the latter won Russia’s 2012 presidential race.

In a follow-up tweet, Trump said Russia “can help solve problems,” including issues regarding North Korea, Syria and the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

"I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing......." - Trump

Trump's post

".....They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race. Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the “smarts.” Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET). PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!" - Trump

Trump's post