New intelligence reviewed by US and Western officials suggests Russian President Vladimir Putin may have shifted his immediate focus in the Ukraine war towards the shorter-term objectives of solidifying his hold on territory his forces have seized as well as boosting his country’s struggling economy,

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday a three-day cease-fire in its war with Ukraine is set to take place in May, but Ukrainian officials question its timing and validity.

President Trump’s rare criticism of Putin came soon after Russia struck Kyiv with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones — killing at least nine and wounding more than 70 in what was