When Vladimir Putin’s plane touches down in New Delhi this week, he will be met with the pomp and ceremony reserved for one of India’s most steadfast partners. Yet his host, Prime Narendra Modi, is simultaneously forging a deep strategic relationship with a key global rival: the United States.

At international summits, even minor missteps can take on symbolic weight, especially when leaders seek to present themselves as steady figures on the world stage. That dynamic was on display this week when a routine address unfolded in an unexpected way.

President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for his first state visit to India since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, showcasing warming ties that have angered the US and led to hefty trade tariffs.

India gave Russia's leader a warm welcome in his first visit since his country invaded Ukraine. The visit in part signaled India's defiance of the U.S., which has punished New Delhi for buying Russian oil.

Ukraine’s top negotiator is scheduled on Thursday to meet in Florida with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, two days after the American's high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, according to a senior administration official.

President Donald Trump said that the Moscow talks on resolving the war in Ukraine were “reasonably good” and that his negotiators say Putin wants an agreement.

As the White House tries to curb Moscow's energy income, Vladimir Putin enjoys a warm welcome in India, and promises an "uninterrupted supply" of Russian fuel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday that Moscow was pleased with the developing military ties between the two countries and ready to help Jakarta in the field of nuclear energy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would seize the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine “in any case,” including by military means, digging in on one of his key demands as Ukrainian officials prepare for more peace talks that have yet to yield a deal.

Moscow finds itself even more dependent on China as war and sanctions curb artificial-intelligence efforts.

Putin fortifies Valdai palace with 20 air defence systems, shielding secret ‘wife' and sons amid war and Ukrainian long-range threats.