The contradictory stories come as Trump, finally, announces new sanctions to counter Russia and more military aid to Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump is disappointed with Russian leader Vladimir Putin due to the lack of progress in peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine, Trump stated during a joint press conference with Secretary General Mark Rutte.

In an Oval Office meeting, President Trump announced that the US will sell weapons to European nations, who will then send them to Ukraine. The president also threatened new trade consequences if no peace deal is reached with Ukraine within 50 days.

The weapons for Ukraine would henceforth be bought by European allies rather than donated from American stocks or bought from manufacturers with American money, as in the past. Billions of dollars’-worth of funds authorised by Congress under his predecessor,

President Trump threatened to punish Russia with heavy tariffs on countries that trade with Moscow if the Kremlin fails to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, while promising Kyiv weapons.