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Vladimir Putin has claimed Russian prostitutes as the “best in the world” - but dismissed claims Donald Trump spent time with some on a visit to Moscow.

The Russian President was addressing unsubstantiated allegations that Mr Trump met prostitutes in a hotel and that Russian officials took the opportunity to compile compromising material about him. Mr Trump has denied the allegations.

Mr Putin described the claims as “complete nonsense” and said people who report them are "worse than prostitutes".

He said: “This is an adult man first of all and, apart from that, a man who for many years took part in organising beauty contests and has communicated with the world’s most beautiful women.

“I find it difficult to believe that he immediately headed off to the hotel to meet with our girls of reduced social responsibility.”

President Putin then added: “Although they are also the best in the world, obviously. But I doubt that Trump fell for it.”

The allegations were made public by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele who claims Russian security services hold lurid and incriminating material about Mr Trump.

The former agent also claims Moscow had links with the US President-elect’s campaign team.

Mr Trump has branded the allegations “fake news” and Mr Putin said: “People who order such fakes [stories] that are now circulating against the President-elect fabricate them and use them in political struggle are worse than prostitutes.

“They have no moral restrictions whatsoever.”

President-elect Trump is due do take office on Friday.