Washington says intelligence suggests Putin's advisers may not be giving him the full picture about his troops' performance and the damaging effect of Western sanctions.
ADVERTISEMENTWith Russia's war in Ukraine into its second month, Putin's forces have continued to pound towns and cities from afar as Moscow's military offensive stalls in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance.
Millions have fled their homes, creating Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II. Thousands of civilians and military personnel have been killed, and the Russian bombardments have left widespread devastation.
The Russian invasion has caused political and shockwaves around the world, deepening the rupture between Moscow and the West.
See a summary of Wednesday's updates in our blog below and watch our TV coverage in the video player above.