Germany, France, the U.K. and Poland outmaneuvered the Kremlin by persuading Ukraine’s Zelensky to accept Trump’s cease-fire demand. Russia’s leader balked.

Vladimir Putin appears scornful of Western efforts to end the Ukraine war through a ceasefire and negotiations - and Donald Trump seems happy to let him get away with it.

Ukrainians believe Putin is "laughing at Trump in front of the whole world" after he sidestepped peace talks, leaving hopes for a ceasefire hanging by a thread.