President Donald Trump’s self-imposed deadline to impose economic penalties on Russia for failing to end its war in Ukraine came and went without an announcement of new sanctions. The president announced on July 29 that he was expediting his initial 50-day deadline,

But considerable distance remains between the positions of Ukraine, Russia and America, as well as doubts about Mr Putin’s real intentions. For now his bombardments continue. The shape of the peace deal the three countries are working on is hard to pin down.

Ukrainian forces are increasing the intensity of long-range drone strikes deep into Russia ahead of Friday's planned meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin.