By Nidhi Verma and Shivam Patel NEW DELHI, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin starts a two-day visit to India from Thursday, pitching for more sales of Russian oil, missile systems and fighter jets in a bid to restore energy and defence ties hit by U.

Putin has repeatedly falsely claimed to capture Ukrainian cities prematurely.

The two sides did not reach any specific compromises, an aide to President Vladimir V. Putin said, as the United States pushes a plan to end the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that a fall in output in some sectors of the economy was not acceptable, and a transition to balanced growth remained a goal for the government and the central bank.

RUSSIA has accused Europe of gearing up for “major war” after a top Nato chief claimed the defence pact could launch “pre-emptive strikes” on Vladimir Putin. Moscow hit

Since taking over Russia in 1999, Vladimir Putin has turned a nation grappling with the collapse of the Soviet Union into a superpower that it is today. He came to power on the promise of bringing political stability and handling national security strongly.

Military commanders told President Vladimir Putin in comments reported on Monday that Russian forces had captured the frontline Ukrainian towns of Pokrovsk and Vovchansk and were advancing elsewhere,