Malcolm Turnbull has dismissed growing praise for Russian president Vladimir Putin from Donald Trump and Pauline Hanson, saying the strongman leader is no role model for the world.

The new US President has turned American foreign policy on its head by expressing admiration for the former KGB agent, even downplaying his role in extra-judicial killings this week, while Senator Hanson said voters respected strong leaders like Mr Putin who stand up for their nations.

Mr Trump held his first call with Mr Putin overnight Australian time, criticising a treaty signed by the Obama administration to cap US and Russian deployment of nuclear warheads as bad for the United States.

Asked on radio 3AW what he thought of the Russian leader Mr Turnbull sounded more like his predecessor Tony Abbott, citing Russia's role in the death of 38 Australians on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and the invasion of Ukraine.