Trump appears to contradict himself on whether Russia will stop Ukraine invasion

Donald Trump made contradictory comments on whether Vladimir Putin wants peace in Ukraine.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, 7 March, the US president first declared that the Russian president wants to see the conflict "stopped and settled" but then added that Putin is "hitting [Ukraine] harder than he’s been hitting them."

It comes as the Republican said he is “strongly considering” widespread sanctions and tariffs on Russia until Moscow and Kyiv agree a peace deal after Russia launched more than 200 missiles and drones at targets across Ukraine in one of its largest attacks this year.