The move means Trump is walking back the 50-day deadline he set this month in response to Russia's continued bombing of Ukrainian cities.

As an August 8 deadline set by US President Donald Trump to stop Russia’s war on Ukraine approaches, Moscow’s forces are pressing forward on the battlefield and killing civilians in relentless air attacks.

On Monday, Mr Trump abruptly shortened a previously announced 50-day ultimatum to just 10 days, warning President Vladimir Putin that unless attacks on civilians stop by August 8, the US will hit Russia with fresh sanctions and tariffs.