US President Donald Trump has said that First Lady Melania Trump played a key role in shifting his perspective on Russian leaderVladimir Putin, especially on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump has said Volodymyr Zelensky should not target Moscow after reportedly privately discussing strikes on the Russian capital with the Ukrainian leader."No, he shouldn't target Moscow," Mr Trump told reporters yesterday on the South Lawn of the White House when asked if Mr Zelensky should attack the Russian capital.

Officials say Russian weapons pounded Ukrainian cities overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, injuring at least 15 people in an attack that mostly targeted energy infrastructure

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

Mr Putin’s war against Ukraine inadvertently led to an end to the hitherto intractable conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is now struggling to break free of Russia’s grip and make peace with Turkey.

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 plan is designed to allow the U.S. to funnel more firepower to Ukraine to combat invading Russian forces during their summer military offensive while easing Washington’s financial burden. Increased weapons shipments,

The United States, Trump stressed, would not pay for them as he heaped fresh criticism on Russian President Vladimir Putin.