A former Russian prime minister has said Vladimir Putin may be forced to agree a peace deal to end the war with Ukraine by the end of the year. Mikhail Kasyanov said Russia’s “contracting” economy meant the country’s president may have no option but to seek a settlement to stop the hostilities.

“Life has shown that no sanctions decisions against Russia produce results,” commented Anatoly Aksakov, a key Russian lawmaker, when asked about the latest sanctions threat.