The Kremlin believes it is too soon to determine the course of Russia-US relations but that Moscow is not disappointed with recent statements from the Trump team because “we never wore rose-tinted glasses, never had any illusions”, according to Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman.

The statement adds to mounting evidence that the Kremlin is quickly losing its initial faith in Donald Trump’s administration to usher in a period of detente between the two nations.

Since the US election in November, Russian state media has featured relentless coverage of Mr Trump, whose mentions on the news were said last month to have even eclipsed those of Mr Putin.