President Vladimir Putin visited Russia’s Kursk region for the first time since Moscow claimed that it drove Ukrainian forces out of the area last month, the Kremlin said Wednesday. Putin visited the region bordering Ukraine the previous day, according to the Kremlin.

May 21, 2025

Moscow said last month it had retaken full control of the region — a claim denied by Ukraine, which first took parts of Kursk in August. Putin last visited the border region in March, donning military fatigues for the only time since ordering the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and visiting a command post.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kyiv’s European allies slapped new sanctions Tuesday on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine.

Russia's attacks on Ukraine continue to escalate while President Trump pushes for a diplomatic solution. Advertisement. About Our Ads

Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced on Wednesday that technical discussions between Ukraine and Russia are likely to begin next week. He suggested the Vatican as a possible meeting place. The day before,