Despite Russia’s continued aggression, including recent massive missile and drone attacks (May 23-24), its offensive in Ukraine has largely stalled, incurring catastrophic casualties (e.g., 36,600 in April for minimal gain) for diminishing territorial returns.

President Trump has repeatedly shifted his positions on Ukraine to accommodate Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as Putin has given very little in return. Why it matters: Trump's critics claim he's getting played — that Putin has no intention of making peace and is stringing him along.

By Tom Balmforth, Andreas Rinke, John Irish KYIV/BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) -For Ukraine and its allies, who spent months trying to win Donald Trump over to their cause in the war started by Russia, it is back to square one.