Why has Trump excused Russia's latest massacre?

His mumbled explanation for Russia’s horrible’ bombing of Sumy on Sunday is no sign that the US president is getting tough on Vladimir Putin, says world affairs editor Sam Kiley

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For a showman given to overarching high-wire performances in every theatre at home and abroad, Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of Russia have been distinctly mumbled – showing he doesn’t have the courage of his lack of conviction.

In his latest utterance, he appeared to be speaking on behalf of the Kremlin for the killing of 34 people, including two children, in a double missile strike on Sumy city, on Ukraine's northern border with Russia.

"I was told they made a mistake," he said.

One can only guess whether he made this claim after talking with Vladimir Putin's officials. It seems more likely that he came up with the line to avoid further global condemnation of Russia for another war crime.

"But I think it's a horrible thing," the US president added, after the Palm Sunday attacks using Iskander missiles fired from Russia into the centre of the provincial capital.

His response to the killing and bombing since the US/Ukraine agreed ceasefire was proposed a month ago has been, safe to say, mixed. He was silent over the death of 20 people in Kryvyi Rih a week ago.

He did hint at mild frustration last Saturday when he told reporters that talks brokered by the US with Russia and Ukraine were getting to the point where the two sides would have to "put up or shut up". The day before he said that they should "get moving".

And some weeks ago, Trump went as far as to suggest that he might even impose extra sanctions on nations still importing Russian oil and other commodities if Russia continued to ignore his attempts to get a ceasefire in Ukraine.