As ever with Vladimir Putin, timing is everything.

Initiating a phone call with Donald Trump on the eve of Volodymyr Zelenskyy 's visit to the White House was no coincidence.

The Kremlin is acutely aware of the American president's apparent shift in sympathy towards Ukraine, and it's fearful that, tomorrow, it could translate into Kyiv being given permission to use US Tomahawk missiles .

This was a clear attempt to stave off the weapons - which Moscow regards as a dangerous escalation - and bring Donald Trump back around to Russia's way of thinking.

Judging by the White House readout of the call, Vladimir Putin appears to have had some success.

Instead of threats and castigation, Trump's rhetoric towards Russia is once again warm and fuzzy .

He described the call as "very

See Full Page