Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the relationship between Russia and Belarus, two neighbours whose ties have grown ever closer since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Putin made the comments at a press conference in Moscow with the longtime ruler of Belarus,

During the talks, Lukashenko claimed that Russia’s Kursk Oblast would be "completely liberated in just a few days." He also asserted that the United States has "no solution" for Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a command center in Kursk on Wednesday, ordering troops there to "destroy" all Ukrainian formations.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia laid out a series of conditions that Ukraine might reject, but displayed a willingness to continue talks with President Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Russia's Vladimir Putin is preparing a rejection of a ceasefire proposal, but is scared to say this directly to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump calls on Russia to do ‘right thing’ after Putin agrees on need for ceasefire but has 'serious questions' on US proposals - Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky rejects Putin’s statement claiming

Russian leaders comments signal that there will be difficult negotiations ahead that could frustrate President Donald Trump’s hope for a swift peace deal.

President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Russia’s occupied Kursk region on Wednesday, as the Kremlin considers a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with his troops closing in on Ukraine’s only territorial bargaining chip.