A deepening spat between Russia and Azerbaijan shows Vladimir Putin's waning influence in the South Caucasus, analysts have told Newsweek.

By Kestér Kenn KLOMEGÂHDuring the International Parliamentary conference Russia-Africa, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech at the plenary session, reminded African parliamentarians that the partnership between Russia and African countries has gained additional momentum and is reaching a whole new level.

President Donald Trump insisted Friday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “will happen," even as the Kremlin ruled out talks between the two leaders in the near term.

US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Trump said with the journalists. "It's going to happen, but it should have happened three months ago,

Putin's summer offensive is stalling as Ukraine puts up a heroic defense leaving Russia resorting to teens to fill the ranks

The announcement appears to preclude any kind of top-level meeting or breakthrough ahead of the 50-day deadline for an agreement given by President Donald Trump.

The expert warns that Russia envisions undermining NATO's "network-centric approach to war" by targeting the C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and space systems on which the organisation's forces depend.

The Kremlin said on Friday that a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy could only happen as a final step to seal a peace deal.

Ukrainian analysts have told Newsweek the move undoes a decade of democratic progress, although its president Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he backed a new draft law aimed at strengthening the independence the anti-corruption institutions. Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian president's office and the Kremlin for comment.

The Kremlin has been hit by sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, meaning that Vladimir Putin cannot afford the cost of the repair job for his massive war vessel

President Vladimir Putin joined mourners on Thursday to say farewell to his former classmate Irina Podnosova, the head of Russia's Supreme Court, who died earlier this week aged 71.