WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that nobody has been tougher on Russia than him and that he'll hit Moscow with new sanctions "as soon as they very much deserve it."

He also said building a good relationship with Russia is a "good, not bad" thing.

Trump commented a day after an internal White House quarrel over the timing of potential new punishment for Russia exploded into public view. He blamed the news media for spreading a narrative that he said portrays him as being afraid to stand up to Russia.

"There's been nobody tougher on Russia than President Donald Trump," th...