"Putin really surprised a lot of people," the US president said on Sunday night. "He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening."

Trump said he would end the war in Ukraine within his first 24 hours in office. His patience with Russia's Putin now appears to be wearing thin.

“A turning point regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine is coming,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is behind a proposal to impose “bone-crushing” tariffs on Russian exports. “For months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the peace table. He has left the door open regarding Russia. That door is about to close,” he added.