Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to meet Donald Trump at the billionaire's 2013 Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow because he admired him, according to a report.

But when the meeting fell through after Mr Trump arrived in Russia later than expected for the event, Mr Putin instead sent Mr Trump a gift and a note to New York City.

The revelations come after Mr Trump insisted this week he did not know and had never met Mr Putin amid the Kremlin's denials Russia hacked Democratic Party emails and Mr Trump's calls for the country to break into Hillary Clinton's server.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) tried to meet US presidential candidate Donald Trump (right) when the American brought his Miss Universe Pageant to Moscow in 2013 because he admired him, according to NBC

Mr Trump (left) with Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo (centre) and Aras Agalarov (right) onstage at the 2013 Miss USA pageant earlier in 2013 before the event in Moscow

NBC reported that a source connected to the Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov said Mr Putin asked his Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, to call Trump before the Miss Universe show in the Russian capital to set up a meeting between the two men.

The show was held at Crocus City Hall, a venue owned by Mr Agalarov, who also was presented with an Order of Honor by Mr Putin later that year

Mr Agalarov was also photographed at the earlier Miss USA event in Las Vegas with Mr Trump.

The source reportedly said Mr Peskov expressed Putin's admiration for Mr Trump and an interest in a meeting between the two.

But the meeting never happened when Mr Trump arrived late into Moscow and Mr Putin's schedule also changed.

NBC said the source said Mr Peskov was willing to reschedule a meeting.

But Mr Putin is said to have instead sent a gift and note to Trump, delivered by Argalov's daughter to Miss Universe headquarters in New York City.

Trump also helped Mr Agalarov's singer son Emin - a performer at the Miss Universe event - making a cameo in a music video featuring Miss Universe contestants from that year in which Trump delivered his 'you're fired' line from his television career.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and billionaire Aras Agalarov attend an awards ceremony at the Kremlin October 29, 2013 in Moscow. Mr Agalarov was awarded an Order of Honor at the ceremony

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Thursday

Mr Trump shakes hands with Republican Party supporters during the campaign rally