U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to ramp up arms shipments to Ukraine is a signal to Kyiv to abandon peace efforts, Russia said on Thursday, vowing it would not accept the "blackmail" of Washington's new sanctions ultimatum.

Russia “increasing the pace” of its gains in Ukraine despite Donald Trump’s please for Vladimir Putin to end the war. The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) latest intelligence update on the conflict says Russian troops are seized more of their neighbour’s territory throughout May and June.

Russia has continued its nightly bombardment of Ukraine after President Donald Trump announced his decision to supply Ukraine with new military equipment and the White House's threats of further economic measures against Moscow.