Russia demanded clarity on Washington’s policy on Syria yesterday as President Vladimir Putin held his first substantial talks with the Trump administration following the US missile strikes against the regime of Bashar al-Assad last week.

Addressing Rex Tillerson on his inaugural visit to Moscow as US secretary of state, Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said: “It is very important for us to understand your position, the position of the US, the real intentions of your administration.”

Donald Trump’s election as US president was widely welcomed in government circles in Moscow last year. But the Kremlin has watched with caution as the White House battled domestic suspicions over its growing friendship with Russia and Mr Trump struggled in setting out a clear course on foreign policy.