Putin insults Turkey but praises Trump at conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday insulted Turkey with crude language over the shooting down of a Russian military jet but offered Donald Trump praise.

During an annual news conference Putin said “the Turks” had "decided to lick the Americans in a certain place".

Moscow has been at loggerheads with Ankara after Turkey shot down a Russian jet last month, claiming it was violating air space. Russia deployed its air force to Syria in September in support of President Bashar al-Assad in the fight against extremist group the Islamic State.

Commenting on next year’s presidential election, Putin said Trump is "the absolute leader of the presidential race” and a “bright and talented person without any doubt”.

Trump has previously said he felt he would “get along very well” with Putin.

The billionaire businessman, who is a Republican front-runner in the presidential race, has been in the media spotlight for his candid views on terrorism. Earlier this month Trump sparked controversy after calling for a ban on Muslims entering the US.