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Vladimir Putin has said Russia’s relationship with the US has badly deteriorated since Donald Trump became president.

When asked about relations since Trump became president, Putin said: "One could say that the level of trust on a working level, especially on the military level, has not improved, but rather has deteriorated."

In an interview transcript released by the Kremlin, the Russian premier was also asked about accusations that Syria's government launched a chemical weapons attack in Idlib province.

Putin claimed Damascus had given up its chemical weapons stocks and offered two main explanations for the horrific incident.

One was that Syrian government air strikes had hit rebel chemical weapons stocks, releasing poisonous gas, or that the incident was a set-up designed to discredit the Syrian government.

(Image: Getty)

It comes after Putin yesterday sensationally claimed the US is preparing airstrikes on the Syrian capital - and will pin the blame on Bashar-al Assad's forces.

The Russian leader made the astonishing claim - that the US is planning to FAKE chemicals weapons attacks - during a joint press conference with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Putin insisted Russia would tolerate Western criticism of its role in Syria but hoped that attitudes would eventually soften.

His claims Russia has information strikes are being planned by the US on the southern Damascus region - the aim of which is to blame the resulting devastation on the subsequently discredited Syrian government - will not go down well in the White House.

(Image: Reuters)

When asked whether he expected more US missile strikes on Syria, Putin said: "We have information that a similar provocation is being prepared... in other parts of Syria including in the southern Damascus suburbs where they are planning to again plant some substance and accuse the Syrian authorities of using (chemical weapons)."

He did not offer any proof for that claim however.