Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron have questioned Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and cancellation of the US-North Korea summit during a meeting in Russia.

Talking to reporters in St Petersburg, where they will speak on Friday at an annual economic forum, the Russian and French leaders reiterated their support for the Iran deal after the US departure.

“I was personally assured that Iran is fulfilling all its obligations, so the question arises what grounds there were to exit this agreement,” Mr Putin said. “We welcome the efforts of Iran and Europe to preserve this deal, while understanding that it will be hard.”

“Russia has never approved unilateral actions,” he added, referring to the renewed US sanctions against Iran. “Any action against a sovereign government can be taken only by United Nations security council, all the rest are illegitimate.”

Mr Macron called for efforts to limit North Korea's nuclear programme to continue despite Mr Trump's cancellation on Thursday of a planned meeting with Kim Jong-un.

“This process that was already launched to reduce tensions on the peninsula, and the process with the goal of denuclearisation, this process should continue,” Mr Macron said.