"Under the leadership of Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin , Russia conducted a strategic nuclear exercise involving its land, naval, and air forces," the Kremlin said, with the president himself explaining that the test had been "long-planned."

The news comes after the possibility of an imminent meeting between the Russian president and Donald Trump to discuss ending hostilities in Ukraine appears destined to fade.

"I don't want to waste time," Trump said, implying that the conditions for concrete results weren't currently in place. The Kremlin also confirmed that there was no specific date for a new face-to-face meeting between the two.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has opened his heart to Washington's proposal to halt fighting along the current front line, although the Kiev leader has stated that he doubts Vladimir Putin would accept the option of "freezing" the status quo.

(Unioneonline)