Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul railed against President Trump on Thursday after he thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the U.S. to cut its diplomatic staff by 755 people.

In his first comments on the move by Russia, Trump said he was thanking Putin because the decision allows the U.S. government to "cut down our payroll."

“I want to thank him, because we’re trying to cut down our payroll, and as far as I’m concerned I’m very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll," Trump told reporters at his Bedminster, N.J., golf club.

McFaul tweeted about the comments Thursday night.

"Trump just applauded cuts of 755 in Russian embassy. Maybe he should look to trim his own staff?" McFaul tweeted.

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"You realize Mr. President that the State Dept organizes US delegations to GES -- those same people you just said were not needed in Russia. Our diplomats, professional staff, and military serving in Russia provide Washington with invaluable information about Russia," he continued over a series of tweets.

"Imagine wanting to know less about Russia's military modernization! That's what Trump praised today. Imagine wanting to know less about Russian foreign policy intentions and plans!" McFaul added. "That's what embassy personnel reductions will do. Imagine dissing Americans --patriots serving our country under difficult conditions in Russia -to praise Putin. Our president did today."

Trump just applauded cuts of 755 in Russian embassy. Maybe he should look to trim his own staff? https://t.co/KKF0tP0PL2 — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

You realize Mr. President that the State Dept organizes US delegations to GES -- those same people you just said were not needed in Russia. https://t.co/wCGRJrkcO0 — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

That @realDonaldTrump praised Putin today for cutting 755 people from our embassy in Russia shows that he doesn't understand diplomacy. — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

Our diplomats, professional staff, and military serving in Russia provide Washington with invaluable information about Russia. https://t.co/6XHtSZkSWm — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

Imagine wanting to know less about Russia's military modernization! That's what Trump praised today. https://t.co/qMorkknjhU — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

Imagine wanting to know less about Russian foreign policy intentions and plans ! That's what embassy personnel reductions will do. https://t.co/O1XP5Upyr5 — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

Imagine wanting to have less capability to gather data about dangerous transnational diseases originating in Russia!Trump seems to want that https://t.co/xTVOkVohre — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

Imagine dissing Americans --patriots serving our country under difficult conditions in Russia -to praise Putin. Our president did today. https://t.co/KovoLuMISa — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 10, 2017

Punk Putin?! Cmon man ! I know Putin. He is not punked by these silly comments. Putin will see Trumps comments as another sign of weakness https://t.co/eO4XKWc8sw — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 11, 2017

If that was his intent, he has failed in achieving his objectives https://t.co/eO4XKWc8sw — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 11, 2017

McFaul, who served as ambassador from 2012 to 2014, has previously spoken out against the Trump administration, saying in May this year that he thinks "Russians are laughing" at the U.S.

“I think the Russians are laughing,” he said in an interview on MSNBC. “I think that’s right, but they’re laughing at how easy it is. And how our president, unfortunately, is helping with their agenda.”