Putin claims no "willingness from Ukraine" to negotiate a peace deal as he touts battlefield gains, and Kyiv claims a brazen strike on a ship far from Russia.

Putin said at an annual meeting with top military officers that Moscow will move to expand a “buffer security zone” along the border.

Even Donald Trumps best of intentions do not always bring success. In Ukraine, two seemingly immovable objects are blocking any peace agreement.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine persists, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his nation's "troops are advancing," The Associated Press reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Moscow’s troops are advancing across the battlefield in Ukraine, voicing confidence that the Kremlin’s military goals will be achieved

U.S. intelligence reports continue to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his aims of capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire.

The anxiety comes as Russia's inflation remains high, and the country's massive defense spending jostles with social spending.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow won't attack other nations if its treated "with respect" and claimed he is "ready and willing" to end the Ukraine war "peacefully."

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual marathon press conference is perhaps best summarized as a mashup of a municipal board meeting and geopolitical talkfest.

Follow live updates from NBC News as Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at his annual year-end news conference on Ukraine, peace, war and Trump.

President Vladimir Putin's epic annual press conference on Friday was punctuated by bizarre moments and occasional barbs from ordinary Russians venting their frustration via unfiltered text messages.