The Latest Breaking News from Vladimir Putin

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world as they met Thursday in Beijing, where the Russian president is seeking greater Chinese support for his war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy.

The Ukrainian army said on Thursday it had partially halted a Russian advance in the northeast, where Moscow has secured its largest territorial gains in 18 months over the last week.

Beijingers praised Vladimir Putin's "charisma" on Thursday and expressed hopes that China would deepen ties with Moscow as the Russian leader paid a two-day visit.

Vladimir Putin hails 80 joint investment projects on his state visit to Beijing, as Xi Jinping walks a fine line between maintaining trade with Russia and avoiding harsh Western sanctions. US inflation cools after months of unexpectedly high readings, and Japan's economy shrinks in the first quarter.