The White House has said president Donald Trump “believes” Vladimir Putin is winning the war with Ukraine.The statement follows a Wall Street Journal that Mr Trump told European leaders after a phone call with Mr Putin that the Russian president is not ready to end the war.

Ukrainian forces are bracing for another major frontline assault from Russia after learning of a large build-up of pre-battle troops in the north east.

Vladimir Putin has visited Kursk for the first time since claiming to have completely retaken the Russian region from Ukrainian forces, state media reported on Wednesday, as the Russian president attempts to repel international pressure to agree to a 30-day ceasefire on the other side of the border.

Ukrainian forces made a surprise incursion into Kursk in August 2024, before being pushed out by Russian troops nine months later.

Statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin about creating a buffer zone are evidence of the Russian Federation's aggression, said Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The announcement was made ahead of an expected prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on Friday – an outcome of last week’s face-to-face talks in Turkey, the first time the two countries have held direct talks at any level in three years.

Despite Ukrainian drone attacks hitting the Russian capital, Moscow, President Vladimir Putin will reportedly 'reject' any peace deal in the Ukrainian war because he is convinced that he will win

The Russian leader traveled to the region in the west of the country where a surprise incursion last year embarrassed Moscow.

At the central Taganskaya station, a new statue has been unveiled. It is of one of Russia's most well-known and controversial leaders, Joseph Stalin, a man who killed millions. Some have welcomed the monument,

The Russian dictator is reportedly in a state of panic and is scrambling for defence after Ukraine carried out major strikes on a key military base 220 miles from the Kremlin