Welcome to our coverage of US politics.

Donald Trump has scored a major court victory, with a half-billion dollar fine tossed out on Thursday, US time.

An appeals court in New York said a $US464 million fine, which has since increased due to interest payments, was too large after a civil fraud case went against Mr Trump.

The President said it was a “total victory”. But the judgement of fraud against him still stands.

Mr Trump has also posted a cryptic message about Ukraine, decrying the Biden administration for not allowing Kyiv to “fight back” against Russia.

“It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invaders country.”

The comments could be read as a veiled threat that more weapons could come Ukraine’s way, as Russia continues to slow walk a resolution to the war.

On Thursday, Moscow poured cold water on an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. It also raised a demand Russia should be involved in any “security guarantees” for Ukraine.