Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 11, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)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.His comments come as Donald Trump prepares to make a “major statement” on the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of its neighbour in 2022.The US president is preparing to send more weapons to help Ukraine defend itself after growing increasingly frustrated with Putin’s continuation of the war.Responding to Russian drones bombing a Ukrainian maternity hospital last wee