Western leaders warn Putin is buying time as U.K. and EU announce sanctions targeting Russia's military, energy, and illegal oil transport amid ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed what the U.S. leader called "impressive" prospects for ties between their two countries in a phone call on Monday, the Kremlin said, adding that Russia and the United States are working on a new prisoner swap.

The Kremlin has withstood pressure for an immediate cease-fire as a precondition for peace talks, but the Russian president’s push for normalizing relations with the United States appears in limbo.

In a light-hearted moment during his recent remarks, Donald Trump shared a funny exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin, joking that “Putin likes Melania more than me!” Addressing an event, Trump recalled his conversation with Putin,

Moscow’s proposal for peace talks backfired as Ukraine’s European allies persuaded Zelensky to accept U.S. cease-fire plan.

Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky shared details on his meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday.