Economic and military pressures could force Russia’s hand. Its economy is strained but not enough to do that, analysts say. And President Vladimir V. Putin says Russia is winning the war.

Oleg Artemyev, a cosmonaut with Russia's space agency, has been replaced on the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission, Roscosmos announced.

Once again there is an impasse in the attempts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. A five-hour meeting in the Kremlin between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and the US team led by Donald Trump’s envoys, businessmen Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has failed to make any significant progress.

Family ties may become strained for former South African President Jacob Zuma after his eldest daughter accused her half-sister of deceiving 17 men – half of whom are reportedly relatives – into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Putin also claimed that Zelensky’s European allies have pushed for demands that are “absolutely unacceptable."

Ukraine is back in the headlines as President Donald Trump puts forth new peace proposals to the international community.

India continues buying discounted Russian oil despite Western sanctions, then exports refined petroleum products to Europe, undermining restrictions.