President Donald Trump lashed out at the Kremlin on Tuesday for its unwillingness to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine as he continued to consider increased sanctions against Russia, an escalation from his previously friendly tone toward Vladimir Putin that came as the president appeared to grow gloomier about his ability to broker peace in Ukraine.

By Steve Holland, Tom Balmforth and Yuliia Dysa WASHINGTON/KYIV (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Vladimir Putin was "playing with fire" by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks with Kyiv as Russian forces made gains in Ukraine's northeast.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “playing with fire,” as Moscow continues battering Ukraine in the face of Trump’s attempts to broker a peace deal to end the war.