As Trump demands a deal to end the Ukraine war in 50 days, Russia's deputy foreign minister says "demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable."

“Putin will not negotiate as a loser,” one of his longtime associates tells TIME by phone from Moscow. “He knows that winners don’t get punished, and if he wins, all of this” — the sanctions, the tariffs — “will go away.”

Angela Stent, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, says Russian President Vladimir Putin counted on Chinese President Xi Jinping's support when he invaded Ukraine – and continues to count on Beijing's economic support and diplomatic support on a global stage.

In 2024, births in Russia fell to 1.22 million — the lowest level since 1999 — while deaths increased by 3.3% annually, to 1.82 million.

If the Admiral Kuznetsov is decided not to continue repairs, it remains only to take it, cut it into scrap metal and dispose of it,” one admiral said.

President Donald Trump is finally taking the fight to Vladimir Putin. Sort of. For now. Trump’s deference to Russia’s authoritarian leader has been one of the most enduring geopolitical subplots of the past decade.

U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said during his campaign he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” upon taking office.

The contradictory stories come as Trump, finally, announces new sanctions to counter Russia and more military aid to Ukraine.