America’s ambassador to the United Nations rebuked a fellow Trump aide’s suggestion that she was “confused” in announcing new sanctions on Russian firms.

“With all due respect, I don’t get confused”, ambassador Nikki Haley told Fox News.

Her comment was a response to National Economic Council chairman Larry Kudlow’s saying earlier in the day that Ms Haley “got ahead of the curve”.

“There might have been some momentary confusion about that,” Mr Kudlow told reporters.

The administration has sent mixed messages about imposing additional sanctions in recent days.

While Ms Haley on Sunday pointed to imminent penalties on Russian businesses connected to Syria’s chemical weapons programme, subsequent reports said Donald Trump had not yet decided whether to sign off on new sanctions.

Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Show all 13 1 /13 Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre in the Barzeh district, north of Damascus, which was targeted by the US, UK and France air strikes. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Center surrounded by papers and rubble. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Firefighrers extinguish smoke that rises from the damage. The Pentagon says none of the missiles filed by the U.S. and its allies was deflected by Syrian air defenses, rebutting claims by the Russian and Syrian governments. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The wreckage of part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound . AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Part of a building collapsing, surrounded by the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damaged to the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, also says there also is no indication that Russian air defense systems were employed early Saturday in Syria. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier sprays water on the wreckage. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Syrian state news agency SANA reported several missiles hit a research centre in Barzeh, north of Damascus, "destroying a building that included scientific labs and a training centre". AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage A Syrian soldier films the damage. AP Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Damage to the Scientific Research Center building that was hit by the strikes. EPA Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage The Scientific Studies and Research Centre was one of the targeted buildings by the US, UK and France. AFP/Getty Syria bombings: US, UK and French military air strikes wreckage Further damage to the centre. EPA

“The President has been clear that he's going to be tough on Russia. But at the same time, he'd still like to have a good relationship with them”, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters the day after Ms Haley’s initial comment, adding that “we’re continuing to evaluate a number of sanctions”.

US to impose new sanctions on Russia in wake of Syria chemical attack, says UN ambassador Nikki Haley

In announcing joint military strikes on Syria’s chemical weapons facilities with the UK and France, Mr Trump specifically lambasted Russia for its support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, saying “Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path, or if it will join with civilised nations as a force for stability and peace”.

But Mr Trump has also repeatedly professed admiration for Russian president Vladimir Putin and has cast doubts on intelligence assessments that Mr Putin directed a broad offensive intended to disrupt the 2016 presidential election.