At a time when tensions with Europe are rising, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has convened leaders of former Soviet republics under the banner of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and flaunted the unity of the regional bloc.

Ukraine peace talks in Florida reportedly show major progress as president Trump's envoy works with Ukrainian officials on framework to end Russia war.

The European Union came up with an 11th-hour deal to help Ukraine, but the solution raised questions about the bloc’s decisiveness.

Witkoff said on social media that talks with officials from Ukraine and Europe focused on a "shared strategic approach."

The European Union is on the precipice of a momentous decision on whether to use frozen Russian assets to finance more support for Ukraine. Critics argue the plan is legally questionable and risks retaliation by Moscow.

Russia "does not have the capability to conquer and occupy Ukraine," let alone invade Europe, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has said, accusing "deep state warmongers" and sections of the Western media of pushing alarmist narratives to derail peace efforts.

Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:

Reindeer herder Juha Kujala says he’s losing many of his animals to wolves. Finnish scientists suspect the predators are crossing from Russia, where the war in Ukraine means fewer hunters.