After clinging for more than seven months to a gradually shrinking area, Ukraine has seen its position worsen sharply in the past week.

Vladimir Putin has issued a chilling command to the Russian Army, urging them to "finally defeat the enemy," casting a shadow over peace talks with Ukraine that have barely started, for which President Volodymyr Zelensky had two key demands.

Putin issued the chilling order during a rare appearance wearing military fatigues this week, telling troops they should permanently oust Ukrainians from their own territory

Trump says he asked Putin to spare Ukrainian lives in ‘good and productive’ talks - Trump has also reportedly bowed to Russia’s demand to keep his Ukraine envoy from peace talks

It is thought the Kremlin will give a formal 'positive' response to the proposal, but ultimately seek huge concessions

Russian President Vladimir Putin was pictured in military fatigues for the first time since the invasion began after he visited the Kursk region of western Russia, where Ukrainian forces had seized te