Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed without evidence that Russian forces have taken control of Ukrainian cities Pokrovsk and Vovchansk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the outlines of a draft peace plan agreed by the U.S. and Ukraine could become the basis of a deal to end the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a US plan to end the war in Ukraine could “form the basis for future agreements” but renewed threats to seize more territory by force unless Kyiv withdraws.

Vladimir Putin says Russia needs to discuss President Trump's Ukraine peace proposal seriously as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to visit Moscow.

The plan, which has been revised since it was leaked last week, drew pushback from Ukraine and its supporters in Congress and Europe for hewing to Moscow’s uncompromising vision for a postwar settlement. Still, Putin has shown little interest in signing it.

Vladimir Putin is protected by an inner circle of highly trained guards, selected through strict criteria including age, height, physical and psychological fitness, loyalty, and extensive background checks.

The Russian leader said he felt Washington was taking his position into account, but that some things still needed to be discussed when a U.S. delegation visits Moscow next week.

In his first public comments about the latest U.S. push for peace between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian leader described the plan as a list of questions requiring work.

The trip to Moscow is the second since last year for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is widely considered Putin’s closest partner among all EU leaders.