Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for what is only his second-ever visit. Why now? Some thoughts…

The trial of US journalist Evan Gershkovich has begun in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. The Wall Street Journal reporter is accused of spying for the CIA - charges he, his employer and his govt deny. Media were allowed to film before it began but trial itself is in secret

Meanwhile, here in Russia, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has arrived for surprise talks with Vladimir Putin He’s the first EU leader to visit Moscow since April 2022 He calls it a peace mission but Brussels is furious, saying he has no mandate to negotiate with Kremlin on EU’s behalf

What does Russia think of the UK election result? “Unlike the British government, we do not meddle with others’ domestic matters,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov just told me. What about the Tories’ claims the UK would be weaker under Keir Starmer? “I don’t care,” he said.

WATCH: Sir Keir to the Kremlin? Sounds unlikely but Vladimir Putin’s spokesman didn’t rule it out today. “It depends on his initiatives,” he told me after Viktor Orbán’s visit. Russia’s leader is apparently “open to any contact” but also won’t be telephoning no.10 anytime soon.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s thoughts on the UK election, featuring the world’s smallest microphone…

Closing arguments have begun in the trial of Evan Gershkovich. We don’t know what’s being said though, because it’s being held behind closed doors. Even the corridor to the court room in Yekaterinburg has been roped off.

So there will be a verdict today in the trial of Evan Gershkovich and media will be allowed to witness it - at 1700 local, 1300 UK. The prosecution has requested a sentence of 18 years in a strict regime penal colony. More on Sky News shortly

First Orbán, then Modi, now Assad… Syria’s president becomes Vladimir Putin’s latest guest after a surprise visit to Moscow news.sky.com/story/syrias-b…

According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the suspect behind Wednesday’s car bomb attack in Moscow has confessed to acting on orders from Ukraine to blow up a military officer. Kyiv has previously denied involvement. Background below 👇 news.sky.com/story/car-bomb…

Last night’s Sky News report on the historic prisoner exchange between Russia and the West. Journalists and dissidents went one way; spies, hackers and an assassin the other

“Victory will be ours” is a phrase Vladimir Putin’s used repeatedly since Russia invaded Ukraine. And yet nearly three years on, the talk now is of a negotiations. If there is a peace deal, will that really be a victory for Moscow? Deputy FM’s answer below 👇

Elena, from Rybinsk in Russia, lost her son Valentin in September when he was killed in Russia's Kursk region He was 18 years old and a conscript, sent there as part of his military service in May to guard the border. Sky's Ivor Bennett went to meet her trib.al/Ur7f6uC

First we’ve heard of it… Last week Moscow repeatedly said it would be “unacceptable” to have peacekeepers from a NATO member state in Ukraine Very big development if Putin has agreed, the first hint of a concession. Or is it a bluff from Trump? Or even an ad-lib?

Aluminium, rare earth metals and cutting defence budgets in half - some thoughts on Putin’s apparent peace dividend… Analysis: As ever with Putin, his timing appears to be deliberate news.sky.com/story/trump-pu…

Will Russia agree to a ceasefire? Here’a a quick look at their pros and cons

The take from Moscow - @skynews Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett

Vladimir Putin’s reaction to the ceasefire proposal in 90 seconds

Trump's fixer was made to wait eight hours to meet Putin - it felt like a classic power play Full analysis from Sky's Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett ⬇️ trib.al/RyFSlzA

Four Russian journalists jailed for alleged ties to Alexei Navalny. Here was the view from outside court news.sky.com/video/share-13…