Russia and Ukraine cannot continue fighting forever. Somehow or other, sooner or later, peace will come. Recent events offer little hope for reconciliation, granted. A wider view of history, however, reveals how the smallest of agreements can lead to the greatest of victories: The victory of peace over war.

Offensive operations by Russia’s army have increased across the front line, according to social media posts by Ukrainian officers, an analysis of information from the General Staff in Kyiv and soldiers speaking to CNN.

The US envoy held talks with the Russian president, meanwhile Moscow's ambassador to the UK told the BBC America is not Russia's ally.