Zelensky says Putin makes ‘mockery of entire world’ as historic prisoner swap continues - The Ukrainian president said 390 prisoners were returned on Friday, with more to follow over the weekend

Russia and Ukraine have completed the first phase of what is expected to be the biggest prisoner exchange since the start of the war, with almost 800 people released on Friday.

War experts believe Moscow is planning a summer offensive in Ukraine. Economic and military pressures closer to home could end up pushing Moscow into peace talks. A slowdown in inflation, declining industrial output and consumer spending all point to a slowdown in the Russian economy.

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.

A new report has found that Russia's relentless campaign to attack Ukraine has now targeted the country's grain supplies

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.

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

A large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia in the 1,000 for 1,000 format likely cannot be completed in a single day and may need to be carried out in several stages, according to Russian State Duma deputy Shamsail Saraliyev.