Of all of Trump's relationships with world leaders, the one with Vladimir Putin has captured the most attention. Trump often openly admires him and wants warmer ties. Given that US-Russian relations are at a post-Cold War low, Trump's stance baffles many. CGTN's Nathan King looks at what it means for American foreign policy.

From the beginning of his campaign for the U.S. Presidency Donald Trump has defied almost the entire U.S. foreign policy establishment-expressing hope of a better relationship with the Russian President.

This desire runs counter to the realities of the U.S.-Russia relationship. Washington has imposed sanctions over Russia's annexation of Crimea and its actions in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. is also on opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. And U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 Presidential election.

But often U.S. President Trump sweeps these differences aside, suggesting instead that a better personal relationship with Vladimir Putin could solve many of the problems between the two former Cold War foes.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "He's not my enemy. Is he a friend? No, I don't know him well enough. But the couple of times I've gotten to meet him, we get along very well."

The fact that U.S. President Trump said these words at a NATO summit while criticizing his allies for lack of defense spending has lead to a bout of global collective head scratching. Why, when it comes to Putin, many ask, does Trump seem to give him a pass?

Political opponents point to a Trump's business links with Russia dating back a decade, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant held in Moscow which Trump owned, plans for a Trump Tower in Moscow, and significant flows of Russian money through his real estate empire.

Then there is the Muller investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russians who wanted to prevent Hillary Clinton from winning the 2016 race. that probe continues and is a cloud hanging over the Trump presidency. And on the eve of the Helsinki summit fears are that Trump's desire for a stronger personal relationship with Putin could lead to concessions to Moscow that run counter to U.S. interests.

In characteristic Trump fashion, the U.S. President recently mocked his critics.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "Will President Trump be prepared? You know, President Putin is KGB! This and that. You know, what Putin is fine. He's fine. We are all fine. We are all people. Will I be prepared? I've been preparing for this stuff my whole life."

Nathan King, CGTN, Helsinki, Finland.