Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Trump Thursday, calling him a “straightforward” and “frank” person.

“He can’t be put in the same category as normal politicians," the Russian leader told reporters at an economic forum in St. Petersburg. "I see that as an advantage. He has a fresh set of eyes.’’

Putin stopped short of calling Trump a friend, however.

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“How can you be friends with someone you don’t know?’’ he said. “I don’t think he can call me a friend. We have never seen each other in person.’’

Putin also pushed back on claims that Russia meddled in the U.S. elections, but said it is possible that a “patriotic” Russian could have taken part in hacks.

Putin's comments come as congressional committees and the FBI investigate alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia during the election.

Putin told reporters the investigations are a product of “Russo-phobic hysteria” that makes it “somewhat inconvenient to work with one another or even to talk.”