The Russian wartime leader has forged forward with a recruitment drive as peace talks flounder with Washington and Kyiv.

A leaked intelligence report revealed that Germany suspects Russia is preparing to expand the war in Ukraine, prompting fear among Western officials.

The American president appeared to be fed up with Putin over the lull in the cease-fire talks after Moscow announced additional conditions before it complies with a US-backed deal to limit attacks

A new report from Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service and the Bundeswehr says the Russian authorities are most likely preparing for a large-scale war against NATO, reports Bild. The report states that Russian leader Vladimir Putin perceives relations with the West as a systemic conflict and is ready to use force to achieve his goals.

Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine has caused a worrying shortage of police in Russia, according to the UK. Fewer officers on the streets has reportedly led to rising violent crime rates – and the instability is only expected to grow when Russian military personnel return from the frontline.

US President Donald Trump believes that Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine but added that he has set a "psychological deadline" for Russia to agree to it.

Senior Trump administration officials have discussed in recent days the likelihood that the U.S. will be unable to secure a Ukraine peace deal in the next few months and are drawing up new plans to pressure both Kyiv and Moscow,