Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeing his hand steadily strengthen in negotiations over a potential peace deal as President Trump seeks to plot out a path to end Russia’s war with Ukraine. The Kremlin has escaped the imminent threat of additional U.

US President Donald Trump has ditched his call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, backing instead Russian President Vladimir Putin’s push for a permanent peace agreement. That has not stopped some European leaders from pushing for a temporary truce first, even though the US president has seemingly decided one is not necessary.

First lady Melania Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Put to protect the innocence of children in a letter made public by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday.