President Donald Trump issues Russian President Vladimir Putin a 50-day deadline to end Ukraine war or face 100% tariffs, prompting skepticism from the EU's chief diplomat and Kyiv's mayor over 50-day timeframe.

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.

Azerbaijan and Armenia, despite their historical rivalry, are finding common ground in their shared frustration with Russia. Tensions have escalated due to diplomatic spats, arrests, and territorial disputes,

A former Russian prime minister has said Vladimir Putin may be forced to agree a peace deal to end the war with Ukraine by the end of the year. Mikhail Kasyanov said Russia’s “contracting” economy meant the country’s president may have no option but to seek a settlement to stop the hostilities.

MICHAEL KIMMAGE is Professor of History at the Catholic University of America. He is the author of Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability.

Officials have warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that a demographic crisis could mean the country he leads will be short millions of workers by the end of the decade.

Vladimir Putin ultimately bears responsibility for the downing of MH17 by Russian proxy forces over eastern Ukraine 11 years ago, a leading investigative journalist has said. Eliot Higgins spoke on the anniversary of the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet with the loss of all 298 people onboard, including 10 British citizens.

Russia launched 400 Shahed and decoy drones, as well as one ballistic missile, during the night, the Ukrainian air force said. The strikes targeted northeastern Kharkiv, which is Ukraine’s second-largest city, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Vinnytsia in the west and Odesa in the south.