Ukrainians Skeptical of Trump's Ultimatum to Putin

Among the weapons being sent to Ukraine are Patriot air defence batteries to help protect cities from attack.

\"There hasn't been a single fact that would prove Russia wants to stop the war. Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire, we have done everything by the book,\" Rudik added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Trump's announcement was \"very serious\" and warned such decisions were seen by Kyiv \"not as a signal for peace but as a signal to continue the war\".

There was little faith in Trump's promises on the streets of Kyiv.

Residents Yuliia and Alisa said they both worried about his relationship with the Kremlin.

\"I don't believe it is real help for Ukraine… it's all about his ego,\" Yuliia told the BBC. \"I guess these four years of Trump's presidency are going to be very tough for Ukraine.\"

\"Everything that happened during the last six months just proved that nothing will change despite what Trump does or does not say,\" Alisa added.

Nina, who also lives in Kyiv, was more optimistic that additional weapons sent by the US and paid for by Nato member states in Europe could \"speed up the end of the war\".

It could have come to an end sooner if Russia had not have been helped by allies like North Korea and China, she said.

Artem, whose father is serving in the Ukrainian army, was \"hoping for the best\".

\"People say a lot, let's see how it goes. I hope that everything will be the way we want. And we want peace, for the war in Ukraine to end, and for all the guys to return alive,\" he said.

Walking around the wall encircling St Michael's monastery in Kyiv, photos of the fallen stare out at you - some were taken before the war, featuring men and women posing with family members and pets.

As Trump talks of imposing new tariffs on Russia, the war continues - with these images a reminder of the soldiers who will never come home.