Russian leader’s comments will be closely watched by the US and Europe amid fears over a US-brokered deal and the future direction of the conflict.

MOSCOW, Dec 19 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to send a signal to the United States and European powers on Friday over his appetite for peace or more war in Ukraine when he speaks at a marathon end-of-year news conference. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.