Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has condemned Russian efforts to interfere in the 2020 election.

The Vermont senator issued a statement after The Washington Post reported US officials have told Mr Sanders that Russia was trying to help his campaign.

Mr Sanders wrote: “I don’t care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president. My message to Putin is clear: stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do.”

Mr Sanders’ response was a sharp contrast from that of President Donald Trump, who has pushed back at the assessment of US intelligence agencies that Russia has interfered in elections on his behalf.