US politics live: Vladimir Putin’s ominous response to ceasefire plan

Vladimir Putin’s conspicuous costume change was already ominous enough. His words made things even worse.

Welcome, once again, to our live coverage of US politics.

US President Donald Trump says there have been “positive” developments regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, after diplomats from both the US and Ukraine reached a provisional agreement.

The Ukrainians are on board. But without reciprocal concessions from Russia, any would-be ceasefire deal is worthless.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said “the ball truly is in their court”, referring to Vladimir Putin’s regime, and has broached the possibility of sanctions relief for Russia if it plays along.

But the initial signs from Russia are not great.

Putin has made a rare jaunt beyond the walls of the Kremlin, visiting military officials in Kursk, a city in southwest Russia.

During that visit Putin wore a military uniform and stressed that captured Ukrainian soldiers would be treated as “terrorists” under Russian law.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on all imported steel and aluminium from midnight on Wednesday, US time. That includes Australia, despite Mr Trump saying he would consider an exemption.

The European Union has immediately imposed counter tariffs on $41 billion worth of US goods coming into the bloc including on American liquor such as bourbon.

Read on for more details.

 

Originally published as US politics live: Vladimir Putin’s ominous response to ceasefire plan