Vladimir Putin has visited Kursk for the first time since claiming to have completely retaken the Russian region from Ukrainian forces, state media reported on Wednesday, as the Russian president attempts to repel international pressure to agree to a 30-day ceasefire on the other side of the border.

The Russian dictator is reportedly in a state of panic and is scrambling for defence after Ukraine carried out major strikes on a key military base 220 miles from the Kremlin

The 1998 crisis worsened the situation, as a global recession and falling commodity prices led to fiscal imbalances and doubts about Russia’s ability to service its debt and uphold the fixed exchange rate. The central bank raised interest rates to 150% to try and stabilise the rouble, but this failed.

The European Union and Britain on Tuesday rolled out a sweeping set of sanctions targeting what they call Russia's "shadow fleet", a covert network of tankers used to secretly move Russian oil across the globe.

Ukraine would like U.S. President Donald Trump to be present at a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrinform reported on May 23, citing Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Vladimir Putin has decided to continue the offensive in 2025 and seize more Ukrainian territory. However, these plans are unlikely to be realistic, according to the RBC-Ukraine article. According to RBC-Ukraine,

The US and European leaders are placing their hopes in the Vatican to engage Russia and Ukraine in peace talks, after President Donald Trump said Pope Leo XIV had expressed interest in the idea. The Kremlin isn’t so keen.

Donald Trump is reported to have made the remarks following his two-hour long phone call with his Vladimir Putin.