Donald Trump has conversed with Vladimir Putin for the third time in six weeks as the confusion at the heart of his administration over Russian policy was revealed in a report.

The US president said the call was primarily about getting Russia’s co-operation on North Korea but added that Mr Putin made some “very nice” comments about his time in office.

It came as The Washington Post published a 7,000-word expose on the internal battles over Mr Trump’s Russia policy in the last year.

The paper reported that Mr Trump’s refusal to endorse the intelligence agencies' view that Russia hacked the election had undermined attempts to retaliate.

It said that some officials downplay information about Russia in intelligence briefings with the president for fear of triggering his ire.

Some aides have even adopted a “don’t walk that last 5 ½ feet” position, meaning do not enter the Oval Office amid fears Mr Trump could “erupt” or “overrule” decisions, it was reported.