Vladimir Putin may be growing increasingly worried about a small NATO member on Russia's doorstep that is openly preparing for potential warfare.In what resembles a David versus Goliath standoff, the tiny Baltic state of Lithuania has started boosting military expenditures and conducting war games in response to escalating threats from Moscow.

The Kremlin ruled out a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before achieving major progress on a peace deal, raising doubt on ending the war before President Trump’s proposed 50-day deadline.

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.

Russia unleashes fresh drones and missiles onslaught on Ukraine's civilians in defiance of US demands for an end to the war, even as there is talk of a fresh summit to try and end the conflict

Russian forces, meanwhile, pounded four Ukrainian cities in nighttime attacks that officials said killed a child.

A face-to-face meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders is needed "to truly ensure a lasting peace," Zelensky said late on Saturday.