President Donald Trump may have expected a Russian shudder of fear to greet his threat of “very severe tariffs” on the country if it didn’t agree a ceasefire in Ukraine.

His spectacular pivot involves ambiguity, theatre and cynicism. Yet it creates a pathway for Ukraine and its supporters to stabilise a weakening position. They must take it.

President Trump also announced that the US would be sending weapons to Ukraine which NATO allies - and not America - would pay for.