"The Russians hope to get everything they want from Donald Trump merely by flattering the man. So far, it's been successful," Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on MSNBC.

"He's talked about weakening NATO, potentially doing away with the Ukraine sanctions, which is what the Russians care about the most. So if they can get what they want just by saying nice things about the man, why risk upsetting the apple cart over a few expulsions?" Schiff said.

President Obama announced a series of sanctions and diplomatic expulsions Thursday in response to findings by intelligence agencies that Russia directed the hacks of Democratic groups during the presidential election.

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The administration also shuttered Russian diplomatic compounds in New York and Maryland reportedly used for intelligence purposes.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Friday morning that Russia would not kick out any American diplomats in response to those moves, despite Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov publicly recommending a response.

Putin's statement specifically offered his "season's greetings also to President-elect Donald Trump and the American people," according to a translation by CNBC

Trump has called for a more friendly approach to Russia on issues such as counterterrorism and has said America should "move on" from the discussion about the hacks.

But those calls have drawn concerns from both Democrats and some Republicans who have pushed for the Obama administration to stand up to Russia over the hacking.