The learnings support China's development of strategies and policies for strategic competition with the United States, the report said.

Russia says it is currently drafting its version a memorandum that would establish the contours of a peace accord and cannot estimate how long that will take.

A top Kremlin aide has accused Donald Trump of being “not sufficiently informed” about the situation in Ukraine after the US president said Russian leader Vladimir Putin was “playing with fire.”

The BBC reports from Donetsk where swarms of fibre optic drones give Russia the edge as Ukraine defends towns behind the front line.

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at peace talks on Ukraine, said on Wednesday he had sent proposals to Ukraine with a date and venue to exchange memorandums, or conditions, to stop the fighting.

Russia has reiterated it is open to holding a second round of direct talks with Ukraine on a possible ceasefire in Istanbul on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks could provide an opportunity to discuss proposals from both sides,

As negotiations to end the war in Ukraine stall, the Trump administration is turning to the Middle East to fulfill the president’s vow to be a global peacemaker.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday about the preparation of "concrete proposals" for a new round of direct talks with Ukraine, the Russian foreign ministry said.