US politics live blog: Trump issues ‘devastating’ threat to Putin

Donald Trump has said a Ukraine ceasefire is now “up to Russia” but he’s warned that with Kyiv on board he’s going to be turning the screws on Moscow.

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US President Donald Trump has said there are “positive messages” about a Ukraine ceasefire. But while Kyiv is all on board, there could be “devastating” consequences if Moscow doesn’t now follow suit.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said “the ball truly is in their court,” and has dangled the possibility of sanctions relief for Russia.

Moscow has said it is “studying statements” from the US but has previously been lukewarm on a ceasefire.

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 blog: Trump issues ‘devastating’ threat to Putin