His inauguration speech was loudest in its silence on Ukraine. But hours later, US President Donald Trump laid bare – in a trademark casual, rambling fashion – his position over the war in Ukraine. And it was tougher on the Kremlin than you might expect.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia praised President Trump’s second inauguration, but the American leader did not return the compliment.

President Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “destroying Russia” with its nearly three-year war in Ukraine, adding he hopes the Kremlin leader is open to making a deal to end the conflict.