His inauguration speech was loudest in its silence on Ukraine. But hours later, US President Donald Trump laid bare – in a trademark casual, rambling fashion – his position over the war in Ukraine. And it was tougher on the Kremlin than you might expect.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia praised President Trump’s second inauguration, but the American leader did not return the compliment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made positive remarks about Donald Trump’s election victory after his inauguration, saying he had “courage” and clinched a “convincing victory.” President Trump failed to reciprocate those remarks,