The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Vladimir Putin will attend proposed peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday. Donald Trump said he might go, and his envoys are set to attend. Ukraine is holding off on confirming participation,

As Russia celebrates its 80-year-old victory over Nazi Germany, Putin wants the world to see that despite the new conflict in Europe, he still has friends in high places.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out at Western leaders for imposing economic sanctions on the country due to the war in Ukraine. Putin on May 13 described Western leaders as 'idiots'. Putin also said that Russia will allow Western companies that left its market back only if it is beneficial for the country.

Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg has assured that a complete ceasefire, on land, at sea, in the air, and within infrastructures, will initiate "the process of ending the most significant and longest war Europe has witnessed since World War II".