The Washington Post on Friday raised "darker suspicions" about the President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's lack of concern for Russian interference in the U.S. election.

The White House on Thursday expelled 35 Russian officials and announced an array of new sanctions for what the U.S. intelligence agencies are calling a deliberate hacking campaign, orchestrated by Moscow, for the purposes of interfering in the presidential election.

The Post's editorial board questioned Trump's praise of Putin after the Russian leader decided not to take countermeasures against the U.S.

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"The president-elect’s dismissive response only deepens unanswered questions about his ties to Russia in the past and his plans for cooperation with Vladi­mir Putin," the newspaper wrote.



"For his part, Mr. Putin seems to be eagerly anticipating the Trump presidency. On Friday, he promised to withhold retaliatory sanctions, clearly hoping the new Trump administration will nullify Mr. Obama’s acts," the Post added.

The editorial questioned Trump's proposed policy of friendly relations with Russia, observing that Trump "seems blissfully untroubled" by Kremlin's aggressive geopolitical stratagems.

"Mr. Trump has been frank about his desire to improve relations with Russia, but he seems blissfully untroubled by the reasons for the deterioration in relations, including Russia’s instigation of an armed uprising in Ukraine, its seizure of Crimea, its efforts to divide Europe and the crushing of democracy and human rights at home," the Post wrote.



"Why is Mr. Trump so dismissive of Russia’s dangerous behavior? Some say it is his lack of experience in foreign policy, or an oft-stated admiration for strongmen, or naivete about Russian intentions. But darker suspicions persist."