President Obama says rising Republican enthusiasm for Russian president Vladimir Putin would deeply disappoint former President Ronald Reagan.

“There was a survey some of you saw — now, this is just one poll, but a pretty credible source — 37 percent of Republican voters approve of Putin,” he said during his final White House press conference of 2016 Friday. "Over a third of Republican voters approve of Vladimir Putin, the former head of the KGB. Ronald Reagan would roll over in his grave.”

Obama said some Republicans were taking a warmer tone toward Moscow because of their intense dislike for Democrats.

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“You start to see certain folks in the Republican Party and Republican voters suddenly finding a government and individuals who stand contrary to everything we stand for as being OK because, that’s how much we dislike Democrats.”

Obama was referencing a YouGov/Economist poll released Wednesday about softening American attitudes towards Russia.

37 percent of Republicans said they had a favorable of Putin in the survey, with 5 percent viewing him “very” favorably” and 32 percent “somewhat favorably.”

Obama jabbed Putin over alleged Russian hacking efforts designed to boost Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's presidential campaign. Obama's conference came just hours after the FBI reportedly agreed with the CIA that Russian government-backed groups hacked the Democratic National Committee to support Trump.

“The Russians can’t change us or significantly weaken us,” he said. "They are a smaller country. They are a weaker country. Their economy doesn’t produce anything that anybody wants to buy except oil and gas and arms.

“They can impact us if we abandon our values. Mr. Putin can weaken us, just like he’s trying to intimidate Europe, if we start buying into notions that it’s OK to intimidate the press, or lock up dissidents, or discriminate against people based on their faith.”

Trump has repeatedly voiced interest in improving ties with Putin. Trump's secretary of State pick, Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, received the Order of Friendship commendation from Putin's government.