The defense secretary’s instructions, which were given before President Trump’s blowup with the Ukrainian president, are apparently part of an effort to draw Russia into talks on the war.

Donald Trump took office eight years ago pledging to “drain the swamp” of the dominance of Washington influence peddlers.

Former president is charged by attorney general following police report that accused him of organising a conspiracy to stop Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva taking power.