U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to ramp up arms shipments to Ukraine is a signal to Kyiv to abandon peace efforts, Russia said on Thursday, vowing it would not accept the "blackmail" of Washington's new sanctions ultimatum.

President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Russia to accept a peace deal in Ukraine within 50 days or face bruising sanctions has given the Kremlin extra time to pursue its summer offensive.

Russia “increasing the pace” of its gains in Ukraine despite Donald Trump’s please for Vladimir Putin to end the war. The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) latest intelligence update on the conflict says Russian troops are seized more of their neighbour’s territory throughout May and June.