Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul criticized US President Donald Trump for his call to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I am shocked that this telephone conversation took place," McFaul said on Friday, December 15, in an interview with MSNBC.

The former diplomat stressed that Trump held a conversation that the National Security Adviser Herbert McMaster did not advise him to do. "In my opinion, this call does not meet the national American interests," McFaul said..

The former ambassador also criticized Trump for thanking Putin for positive statements about the American economy.

He noted that the Russian president knows how to achieve the desired result from Trump. "Putin knows that when he says nice things to Trump, he gets such a reaction from him," McFaul said..

Earlier on December 14, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed the DPRK nuclear program. US President noted that the United States hopes for Russia's help in the conflict over North Korea. In addition, Trump thanked Putin for "recognizing America's high economic performance," which he noted at his annual press conference in Moscow.