Volodymyr Zelensky has summoned Vladimir Putin for a face-to-face meeting in a bid to end the Russian premier's four-year invasion of his country. The Ukrainian President published an extraordinary open letter last night calling for a meeting between the two world leaders,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published an open letter to President Vladimir Putin in which he proposed the leaders meet.

By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 4 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin faced two rival outlines of Russia's future on Thursday as he hosted his premier annual investment conference with the war in Ukraine unabated.

A massive black cloud rising above the St. Petersburg skyline from a Ukrainian drone strike set a gloomy tone for the opening of President Vladimir Putin’s annual showcase of Russia’s economic achievements.

Amid US pressure, Iran may pursue "unprecedented strengthening of its relations with Beijing and Moscow," an Iranian analyst said.

By Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson STOCKHOLM, June 4 (Reuters) - After Ukraine said it will make the Gripen the backbone of its air force, the Swedish fighter jet is finally set to be tested in the role it was designed for: confronting Russia.

Russia is intensifying attacks in Ukraine but more than four years of war are causing concern even among Putin loyalists.

Russia's high tempo of glide bomb attacks has been plagued by a string of friendly-fire incidents, the UK's MOD said on Wednesday.

The Pentagon is expected to cancel a plan to send Tomahawk missiles to Germany partly because officials are concerned Russia will view it as an escalation, a startling reversal of a long-planned agreement with one of America’s biggest allies.

Russia's war in Ukraine will provide an unavoidable backdrop to the French Open women's semi-finals - and possibly the final.