All hopes are on Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff, who have repeatedly accepted Putin’s demand that, ahead of any talks Ukraine must agree to withdraw from the front lines – Europe must take over negotiations, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Vladimir Putin knows exactly how to get Donald Trump on side, a former White House adviser who observed meetings between the pair has said.

Vladimir Putin knows exactly how to get Donald Trump on side, a former White House adviser who observed meetings between the pair has said.

Fiona Hill, a Russian expert and former White House adviser, who witnessed meetings between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, tells The Independent podcast World of Trouble’s Sam Kiley that the Russian president knows how to mesmerise his US counterpart, and has no plan to give up his designs on Ukraine

Zelensky’s lost his chief of staff amid a €100m corruption scandal that the Kremlin will exploit – this is a disaster to Kyiv but also a sign that its system works, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Zelensky’s lost his chief of staff amid a €100m corruption scandal that the Kremlin will exploit – this is a disaster to Kyiv but also a sign that its system works, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

The Ukrainian president said the talks would focus on security guarantees for Kyiv

The latest round of talks about peace may be drifting Ukraine’s way but Russia is still very active behind the scenes, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Trump says 'dealmaker' Witkoff will meet Russia's president in Moscow next week

The latest round of talks about peace may be drifting Ukraine’s way but it’s a carousel of chaos, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

The latest round of talks about peace may be drifting Ukraine’s way but it’s a carousel of chaos, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Trump says the countries are ‘very close’ to a peace deal as Russian strikes target Zaporizhzhia

The West does not need America to hold its hand in the confrontation with the Kremlin – it is easily powerful enough on its own, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

The West does not need America to hold its hand in the confrontation with the Kremlin – it is easily powerful enough on its own, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

A new deal cooked up by the Trump administration will benefit only Moscow and Washington. Sam Kiley, world affairs editor, says it is time for Europe and other allies to establish military and intelligence independence from the US

Trump’s America is falling into autocracy and advocates for Russian victory in Ukraine – it’s time the West saw this and dealt with it. Sam Kiley, world affairs editor, explains how