Live updates

President Donald Trump said Friday that he continues to believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace and that he is “finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine.” His comments, to reporters in the Oval Office, came after Russia carried out a major missile attack against Ukraine while U.S. intelligence-sharing that normally helps Ukraine repel Russian forces was paused. Trump, who threatened to impose sanctions on Russia in response to the attack, said he had sent Russia a “very strong statement — can’t do that.” But he softened his tone during his Oval Office appearance. Separately, Trump addressed a White House cryptocurrency summit, elevating an industry he promised to aid during his campaign.

Live coverage contributors 36