Russian President Vladimir Putin hints at capturing another major Ukrainian city through military force. "We don't have a saying, or a parable, but an old rule -- where the Russian soldier sets foot,

Moscow has hoped to mend relations with the United States while continuing to wage war in Ukraine, but Mr. Putin’s insistence on pushing his offensive has come at a diplomatic cost.

President Vladimir Putin said Friday he did not "rule out" his forces taking control of Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy as part of efforts to create a buffer zone along the border. "We have no objective to take Sumy,