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Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, the US President revealed there would be a “nuclear holocaust would be like no other” if relations between the two superpowers were allowed to deteriorate further. Following a succession of actions by Russia which could threaten the relations between the two nations, Trump was asked if he felt he was being tested by Vladimir Putin.

GETTY Could Russia and the US be set for a nuclear war?

He responded: “It would be so easy for me to [say] the tougher I am on Russia the better. “We’re a very powerful nuclear country, and so are they. "If we have a good relationship with Russia, believe me, that's a good thing. Not a bad thing."

GETTY Trump made the claims during a hostile press conference

Do these photos show America preparing for war with Russia? Wed, January 18, 2017 A photographer has captured what he says is an F-16 jet practicing dogfights with a mysterious Russian fighter plane – before returning to Area 51. Play slideshow 1 of 24

Relations between the two leaders appeared to have started well after the White House hailed a “positive call” between Trump and Putin just days after the President was inaugurated. In a statement, the White House said: “The positive call was a significant start to improving the relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair.

GETTY The North Korean missile launch last weekend has put world leaders on edge