Vladimir Putin believes he has a strong hand ahead of a phone call Monday with Donald Trump as European leaders are trying to prevent the US president from rushing through a deal. Putin is confident that his forces can break through Ukraine’s defenses by the end of the year to take full control of four regions that he has claimed for Russia,

"Putin feels that he has a destiny to recreate the Russian Empire," former Defense Secretary Robert Gates told "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

Trump says he wants US to ‘take’ Gaza and turn it into ‘freedom zone’ as he visits the UAE - The president also warned that the U.S. could be forced to take a ‘violent course’ with Iran if the friendl

Trump turned to Truth Social to announce his plans to speak to Putin by phone on Monday, following a Russian drone attack that killed nine civilians.

The call began just after 11 a.m. and ended just after 1 p.m. Over the course of the call, Putin assured Trump that Russia was ready to work toward a potential ceasefire, but Putin said both countries “would need to find compromises to suit all parties,