Donald Trump yesterday said it was “time to move forward” with Russia, as he faced a US backlash over claims he had accepted Vladimir Putin’s denial that Russia interfered in the US election when the presidents met at the G20.

Tweeting after his return from Hamburg, Mr Trump said he had challenged the Russian president over claims that Moscow had orchestrated cyber attacks to influence the 2016 election. “I strongly pressed President Putin twice about Russian meddling in our election. He vehemently denied it. I’ve already given my opinion,” Mr Trump said.

John McCain, the Arizona senator and vocal Russia hawk, was one of several Republicans who criticised Mr Trump for not holding the Russian president accountable. He said Moscow had to “pay a price” as “otherwise [Putin] will be encouraged”.