MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Friday (Jul 18) that it did not believe that a tougher stance US President Donald Trump has adopted towards Russia over its war in Ukraine means the end of US-Russia talks aimed at reviving their battered ties.

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.

President Donald Trump said Monday that if Russia does not agree to make a deal with Ukraine to end the war soon, he would place “very severe” tariffs on the country.