Russia’s stalling contrasted with Trump’s rush for a valuable breakthrough as his trade policies set off stock market slumps and cast a cloud over the economy. “I think we’re going to be in very good shape to get it done. We want to get it over with,” Trump said at the Oval Office on Thursday, in an outburst of optimism that jarred with reality.

I think that now Vladimir Putin's game with Donald Trump has started. The Russian dictator will attempt to extend the negotiation phase leading up to the ceasefire and the potential end of the conflict for as long as possible.

U.S. assessments of Vladimir Putin say that Moscow is determined to hold sway over Kyiv, despite ongoing ceasefire talks.