US president says he finds Russia easier to deal with than Ukraine after cutting off intelligence and weapons to Kyiv

• Ukraine war live: latest updates as Russia steps up attacks

Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin was “doing what anybody would do” after Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine days after the US cut off vital intelligence and military aid to Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday Trump said he finds it “easier” to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin “wants to end the war”.