Trump's Mixed Signals On Russia Cloud European Strategy

Diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, have intensified in recent weeks (Credit: AFP)

European countries, aiming for deeper economic sanctions to push Russia into a ceasefire in Ukraine, struggle with US President Donald Trump's ambivalent attitude on the issue, analysts say.

Trump has expressed impatience -- accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of "playing with fire" -- and made threats, but does not seem to follow them up with action, they say.