US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone on Thursday (14 December) and thanked him for praising the US economy, once again triggered fierce condemnation on Twitter. The White House issued a brief statement that Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart to discuss the "very dangerous" situation in North Korea.

The White House said the two leaders "discussed working together to resolve the very dangerous situation in North Korea".

"President Trump thanked President Putin for acknowledging America's strong economic performance in his annual press conference," the White House statement read.

Trump later told reporters on Friday that his phone call with Putin was "great", noting that the Russian president "said very nice things about what I've done for this country in terms of the economy.

During his annual national press conference, Putin dismissed the allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 as "spy hysteria" and asked members of the US Congress, "Are you normal at all?"

"This is all made up by people who oppose Trump to make his work look illegitimate," Putin said. He added that there is a "deep state" in the US that is fuelling hostility towards Russia.

He also praised Trump's "serious achievements" saying: "Look at the markets, how they went up; that speaks about investors' trust in what he does."

Congressional committees and special counsel Robert Mueller are conducting ongoing probes of Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether Trump's team colluded with Moscow. So far, four people linked to Trump's campaign have been charged in Mueller's probe including former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Still, Trump has repeatedly voiced doubts about the US intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. He has also denied collusion with Russia and denounced the ongoing probes as a "hoax".

"Let's put it this way, there is absolutely no collusion, that has been proven," Trump said. "That was a Democrat hoax, it was an excuse for losing the election and it should have never been this way where they spend all these millions of dollars."

Meanwhile, Twitter slammed Trump for making the call to Putin amid the ongoing probes and strained tensions with Russia and thanking him for his praise.

"It's sickening," one Twitter user wrote. Another added: "It seems to confirm that Trump is a narcissistic toddler who is easily impressed by base flattery and has no intention of implementing the sanctions passed by Congress."

"Was this Trump's performance review?" one person questioned.

"So wait, President Trump called Vladimir Putin, for the sole purpose of thanking Putin for praising America's economic performance under Trump?! I am *incredulous* over this, Trump is so embarrassing," a second said.

Because we all know Putin has America's best interests at heart. — I Obot (@bjones02) December 15, 2017

Of course. Thatâs how love affairs go. — Joseph Zaccaria (@JosephZaccaria2) December 15, 2017

It's telling Trump doesn't seem to care his approval ratings in the US are at 32% but is overjoyed Putin thinks he's a 10. That's all that matters in his small world. — GCastle (@answeryourshoe) December 15, 2017

"For those nice words, I offered him America." — @golias (@darthnader23) December 15, 2017

Make me nauseous pic.twitter.com/JJgTO6ndqn — Nancy Bautista (@NancyBautista) December 16, 2017

The Stockholm Syndrome is strong with this one. .. — Fiefdom Of Speech (@FiefdomOfSpeech) December 16, 2017

"It's shocking to me that, that phone call gets to go through" - Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia @McFaul on Trump's call to Putin pic.twitter.com/cRqs6mSr3D — Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) December 15, 2017

Trump was just updating Putin as his yearly performance review is coming up. — andy (@andyg_live) December 15, 2017

No nothing to see here. Nothing at all... — PatrikHenryBass (@PatriksPicks) December 15, 2017

Trump called the FBI âdisgracefulâ and praised Putin today.



The FBI puts their life on the line to protect America. Russia interfered in our election.



Trump should be praising the FBI and calling Putin âdisgracefulâ for hacking our Democracy.



BUT THIS PRESIDENT IS COMPROMISED. — PROUD RESISTER ð (@ProudResister) December 16, 2017

Gawd, @realDonaldTrump proudly telling reporters that his daddeh Putin gave him attaboys for his betrayal of the U.S. Trump is so pathetic. #inners — Susan (@susanj357) December 16, 2017

Has Trump claimed Despot-client privilege with Putin? Just asking. — Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) December 15, 2017

Vladimir Putin: You hang up.



Donald Trump: No you hang up.

*giggle*



Vladimir Putin: No you hang up. Seriously hang up. *moron*



Donald Trump: Okkk. Call me later.#TheResistance #TrumpRussia — Nicki ð¤ (@nickiknowsnada) December 15, 2017

Still trying to process the fact that the President initiated a call with Putin to personally thank him for reading a list of talking points about how "successful" Trump's first year in office has been. — Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) December 15, 2017

Trump calls him Vladimir. Putin calls him Donald. They are good buddies in a bromance, whatever that means for two men with no heart or soul. Mind-bending. Life threatening. — Tony Schwartz (@tonyschwartz) December 15, 2017

Trump spoke to his best friend Putin again today. He requested the call after Putin praised him for everything heâs accomplished.



Really? All heâs accomplished?



So if you didnât know before if Putin ever lies to Trump, this is proof he absolutely does. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) December 15, 2017

Why does America have to learn of a call between Trump and Putin from Russia?



BTW, Putin called US lawmakers idiots.



Should we just refer to Putin as defacto POTUS from now on? — SarahCA (@sarahTRUMPMORON) December 15, 2017

Sometimes in the name of courtship you gotta make something up to get your love interest on the phone. We were all 15 once. — Democrat Jones (@passmeapancake) December 15, 2017