The two countries are looking to strengthen trade ties and are likely to sign bilateral interdepartmental and business agreements during Putin's visit.

Economic and military pressures could force Russia’s hand. But its economy, though strained, is not strained enough to do that, analysts say. And President Vladimir V. Putin says Russia is winning the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed without evidence that Russian forces have taken control of Ukrainian cities Pokrovsk and Vovchansk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that a fall in output in some sectors of the economy was not acceptable, and a transition to balanced growth remained a goal for the government and the central bank.

Here's a breakdown of the biggest unresolved issues at the heart of the Russia-Ukraine peace plan discussions.