Charles Maynes

Presidents Trump and Putin will be landing to discuss a possible end to Russia's war in Ukraine. A war that — at the moment — is not letting up. In fact, it's seen in increase in drone warfare.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump's "energetic and sincere" efforts to end the war in Ukraine. But on the streets of Moscow while many hope for an end to the war, they disagree on how to get there.

Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was unlikely to be included in talks he described as a "feel-out meeting" to better understand Russia's demands for ending its war in Ukraine.

The discussion of a summit came amid the countdown to President Trump's Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face new sanctions and tariffs on Russian energy exports.

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The two sides made little progress toward a ceasefire — despite President Trump's threats of harsh new economic penalties on Moscow should it fail to agree to a deal by early September.

President Trump threatened to punish Russia with heavy tariffs on countries that trade with Moscow if the Kremlin fails to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, while promising Kyiv weapons.

A promise of a major announcement comes amid President Trump's growing frustration with Russia over U.S.-backed efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

A Russian official named Roman Starovoit acted as the Kremlin's Transportation Minister was reported dead hours after Putin fired him. Officials say he died by suicide.

The Kremlin is using the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum to showcase remaining allies and address questions of recession.