Trump’s decision to allow weapon sales to Ukraine culminated a five-month effort by allies to help Volodymyr Zelensky rebuild a relationship with the president.

The Kremlin said on Friday that it did not believe that a tougher stance U.S. President Donald Trump has adopted towards Russia over its war in Ukraine means the end of U.S-Russia talks aimed at reviving their battered ties.

As Trump demands a deal to end the Ukraine war in 50 days, Russia's deputy foreign minister says "demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable."

President Donald Trump is downplaying the possibility of sending Ukraine long-range weapons as Kyiv awaits an injection of U.S. weaponry that it hopes will help it beat back an intensifying Russian air offensive.

Though Trump's decision was welcomed by leaders in Kyiv, Ukrainians and their supporters abroad also raised concerns that the 50-day window may offer Russian President Vladimir Putin an opportunity to intensify his long-range strikes against Ukrainian cities and ongoing summer frontline offensive.

"He's come to the same conclusion as all of us, he's playing us," one European official said of President Donald Trump's new take on Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

EU approves one of its strongest sanctions packages yet against Moscow - EU says will raise the costs so ‘stopping the aggression becomes only path forward for Moscow’

Zelenskiy's choice of a young economist, Yulia Svyrydenko, well known in Washington, reflects the importance of repairing relations with the Trump administration after Zelenskiy's disastrous White House visit in February.