Russian President Vladimir Putin told the FSB security service on Thursday that initial contacts with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump gave grounds for hope. Putin said in televised comments that Russia and the United States were ready to establish cooperation but some Western elites would seek to undermine the dialogue between them.

Kirill Dmitriev wrote on Elon Musk’s X platform for the first time since 2012 this week to declare US-Russia cooperation was “key to address world challenges.” Then he posted a video graphic depicting a joint mission to Mars with the US and Saudi Arabia on what appears to be one of Musk’s SpaceX rockets.

Meanwhile the US president says Europe should provide the security guarantees after any ceasefire deal with Russia.

"The View" co-host Joy Behar suggested that President Donald Trump might owe something to Russian Vladimir Putin during a discussion about his admin's posture on the war.

The war in Ukraine will be a focal point of the meeting between the US president and UK prime minister in Washington later.

A top security aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as the Kremlin builds ties with Southeast Asian nations seeking to offset the risks of the growing competition between the US and China.

But, from Mr Putin’s point of view, he had good reason to be part of it. As the boss of one of Russia’s state-backed investment funds, Mr Dmitriev has been cutting deals for more than a decade. Mr Putin wants America to loosen sanctions on his economy.

Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his call for a US security guarantee in Ukraine to deter Vladimir Putin from invading again, as he prepares to meet Donald Trump. Speaking on the plane to Washington DC,

Ukraine holds trillions of dollars worth of rare earth elements, which are critical for the modern high-tech economy.

NBC News’ Richard Engel, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Evelyn Farkas, and Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul join Katy Tur to express concerns about Trump’s deference towards Russia.

"Russia is open for U.S.-Russia economic cooperation and believes such cooperation is key for more resilient global economy," envoy Kirill Dmitriev, appointed on February 23, said in a statement.