Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a video call on Wednesday, during which Putin praised the expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. The talks come as Xi continues engagements with Western leaders seeking closer ties with China, even as Beijing maintains trade links with Russia despite pressure

Russia fired nearly 450 drones and 70 missiles targeting multiple Ukrainian regions, including key power infrastructure, just a day before crucial US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi